Homeless/McKinney-Vento Act Education
Removing and preventing educational barriers for students lacking a fixed, regular or adequate nighttime residence.
Contact us if you or your family live in any of the following situations:
- In a shelter, transitional housing, motel, vehicle, campground, or on the street
- In an abandoned building, trailer, or other inadequate accommodations
- Temporarily doubled up with friends or relatives because you lost your home, or cannot afford housing
- Living as an unaccompanied youth without your parent or guardian
- In the process of eviction or foreclosure
- Migrant students in the above situations
Find the Housing Questionnaire here:
English: Housing Questionnaire
Spanish: Cuestionario sobre la vivienda del estudiante
Educational Rights Of Children & Youth Experiencing Homelessness
Support Services
- Immunization assistance
- Enrollment assistance
- Free meal registration
- School supplies/backpacks
- PE uniforms
- Clothing support
- Hygiene supplies
- School fees
- Field trip or camp expenses
- Laundry support
- Transportation to and from the school of origin
- Access to rental and utility assistance
- Referrals to basic services (food, shelter, medical assistance, etc.)
- Bilingual support for Spanish speakers
- FAFSA/WAFSA support
Educational Rights
You or your preschool and school-aged children have certain rights or protections under the McKinney-Vento Act. You or your children have the right to:
- Go to school, no matter where you live or how long you have lived there. They must be given access to the same public education, including preschool education, provided to other children.
- Continue in the school your student attended before they became homeless, or the school they last attended, if that is your choice and is feasible. If a school sends your child to a school other than the one you request, the school must provide you with a written explanation and offer you the right to appeal the decision.
- Receive transportation to the school they attended before your family became homeless, or the school they last attended if you or a guardian request such transportation.
- Attend a school and participate in school programs with children who are not homeless. Children cannot be separated from the regular school program because they are homeless.
- Enroll in school without giving a permanent address. Schools cannot require proof of residency, which might prevent or delay school enrollment.
- Enroll and attend classes while the school arranges for the transfer of school and immunization records or any other documents required for enrollment.
- Enroll and attend classes while the school and you seek to resolve a dispute over enrolling your children.
- Receive the same special programs and services, if needed, as provided to all other children served in these programs.
- Receive transportation to school and school programs.
McKinney-Vento Dispute Resolution
- If you disagree with school placement, transportation, or other provisions of support, you may request the McKinney-Vento Dispute Resolution process.
- While a dispute over your enrollment is being resolved you have the right to enroll in the school chosen.
You may download a 506-Native American Eligibility Certification Form in English or Spanish, or call the McKinney-Vento District Liaison at (360) 463-4061 to request a McKinney-Vento Dispute Resolution Process packet. Once forms are completed, submit to the District Homeless Liaison, at [email protected].
Washington State Education of Homeless Children and Youth Office at OSPI: http://www.k12.wa.us/HomelessEd/default.aspx