Homelessness & Families in Transition
McKinney-Vento Act
The McKinney-Vento Act, Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program (EHCY) is an act that is designed to meet the educational needs and protect the educational rights of children and youth experiencing homelessness or housing transitions due to economic hardship.
The McKinney-Vento Act defines homelessness as the lack of a fixed, regular and adequate night-time residence which includes:
Living in a shelter
Living in a motel, hotel, or campground due to lack of adequate housing
Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, bus or train stations or similar settings
"Doubled up" living with friends or family due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason
An "unaccompanied youth" living without a parent/guardian
A child of a migrant worker
Living in other situations that are not fixed, regular, or adequate for nighttime residence
Under the federal McKinney-Vento Act, children and youth experiencing homelessness have educational rights which include the right to:
Enroll in school and classes immediately, even if missing records and documents normally required for enrollment, such as a birth certificate, proof of residence, previous school records, or immunization/medical records
Participate fully in all school activities while the school gathers records
Attend and receive support with transportation to either the local school or the "school of origin" according to the student’s best interest
Receive free breakfast and lunch for the school year
Receive waivers of fees for extracurricular activities
Receive support to meet the basic needs of the student including food and clothing
Referral to community-based resources and services that can assist your family’s needs
Assistance with the appeal process should you feel your rights have been denied
If your family is experiencing homelessness or housing transitions due to economic hardship, help is available. Please contact Julie Barbick, Hampstead School District Social Worker for a confidential conversation regarding your needs.
Julie Barbick, MSW, LICSW, LSSW
603-329-6743 x 2119 (HMS)
603-329-6326 x 1224 (HCS)
barbickj@hampsteadschools.net