What is McKinney-Vento?

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act:

Ensures students have immediate and equal access to public education.

• States and LEAs must review and revise policies to remove barriers to school enrollment and retention of homeless children and youth
• McKinney-Vento defines enrollment as attending classes and participating fully in school activites

Under McKinney-Vento, students experiencing homelessness are eligible for:

• Immediate Enrollment: Students identified can enroll in school immediatley , even if they don’t have the usual documents like proof of address, medical records, Birth Certificate/SSN or previous school transcripts. Provisional enrollment for 30 days is alloted to provide time to turn in the required documents to the school district.

• Transportation: If applicable, students can continue attending their "school of origin" (the school they were attending before becoming homeless) even if they have to move to a new location, with transportation assistance provided if needed.

• Free Meals: Children and youth who qualify under McKinney-Vento are eligible for free meals at school, including breakfast and lunch.

• Additional Support: Schools will provide additional support such as tutoring, counseling, and help with school supplies to make sure students have the tools they need to succeed academically.

The law is designed to ensure that no child or youth is excluded from school due to their living situation. Whether they are living in a shelter, a motel, with relatives, or "doubling up" with other families, McKinney-Vento ensures that their educational opportunities are protected and supported.

Definition of Homelessness (Eligibility)
The law defines “homeless” as children and youth who are:

• Children who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence [42 U.S.C. § 11434a(2)]; and 

Includes—

• children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason; 

• Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, camping grounds due to lack of adequate alternative accommodations;

• Living in emergency or transitional shelters;

• Living in a public or private place not designed for humans to live;

• Living in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings

• Migratory children living in above circumstances. [42 U.S.C. § 11434a(2)];

* Unaccompanied youth includes a homeless child or youth not in the
physical custody of a parent or guardian [42 U.S.C § 11434a(6)]

Contact Information

Cheryl Garrison, Chisum ISD Liasion – 903.737.2830 – cheryl.garrison@chisumisd.org

Marilu Calixto, Region VIII Liasion – 903.575.2668 – mcalixto@reg8.net

 Resources

• Texas Education Agency – Texas Education for Homeless Children and Youth (TECHY) Program
• Food Pantry(Paris) – Downtown Food Pantry
• Paris Lamar County Health District – Health Services
• That House – Clothing outreach ministry(Paris Church of God-1400 Bonham Street, Paris, Texas 75460) – (903).784.6169 Ext.17
• Rent Assistance – Statewide