Homeless Education Program

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was signed on December 10, 2015, which reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The reauthorization of ESSA included the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act's Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) grant program. The provisions of Title 42 United States Code, Section 11431 et seq., are designed to improve the educational stability, access, support, and academic achievement of children and youth experiencing homelessness.

The following are highlights of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act's requirements:

Provide immediate enrollment for children and youth experiencing homelessness who are not already enrolled, including reviewing and revising any laws, regulations, practices, or policies that may act as barriers to the enrollment, attendance, or success of homeless children and youth.
Provide school stability for students experiencing homelessness by allowing them to remain in their school of origin when this is in the child's or youth's best interest and providing transportation to and from the student's school of origin at the request of the parent/guardian or unaccompanied youth.
Ensure that students experiencing homelessness are provided with services in such a way that they are not isolated or stigmatized.
Ensure that homeless liaisons and school personnel participate in professional development opportunities and other support to assist with the identification, enrollment, and meeting of the needs of homeless children and youth.
Support coordination and collaboration between LEAs, community agencies, county offices of education, and existing programs to better serve homeless children, youth, and their families.

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (McKinney-Vento Act) (42 U. S. C. § 11431-11435) is federal legislation that requires all local educational agencies (LEAs) to ensure children and youth experiencing homelessness have their educational rights and protections and have equal access to the same free, appropriate public education, including public preschools, as provided to other children and youth.

The McKinney-Vento Act defines LEAs as public-school districts, direct-funded and locally funded charter schools, and county office of education. The McKinney-Vento Act also authorizes the funding for the federal EHCY program.

To view the McKinney-Vento Liaison List, scroll to resources list at the bottom of this page.

Educational Rights and Protections of Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness

Right to immediate enrollment in school without a permanent address, immunizations, school records or other papers.
Right to continue in the school that the student attended before becoming homeless (school of origin), if it is in the student's best interest.
Right to go to school, no matter where the student lives or how long he or she has lived there.
Right to enroll and attend classes while the school arranges for the transfer of required school records or documents.
Right to enroll and attend classes while the school arranges for the transfer of required school records, documents, i.e., immunization records, birth certificates, or an address.
Right to enroll and attend classes even while the school and parent/student seek to resolve a dispute over enrollment.
Right to receive transportation to his/her school of origin as long as he/she is homeless, or if the student becomes permanently housed, receive transportation until the end of the academic school year.
Right to participate in tutoring, school-related activities, and/or receive other support services.

You can enroll in school even if you have:

Uncertain housing
A temporary address
No permanent physical address

You are guaranteed enrollment in school by the federal McKinney-Vento Act and California state law if you live:

In a house or apartment with more than one family due to loss of housing or economic hardship
With friends or family because you are a runaway or an unaccompanied youth
In substandard housing (without electricity, water, or heat)
In a shelter (family, domestic violence, or youth shelter or transitional living program)
In a motel, hotel, or weekly rate housing
In an abandoned building, in a car, at a campground, or on the streets

You can enroll in school immediately even without the documents normally required for enrollment, such as:

Proof of residency
Immunization records or other required health records
School records
Legal guardianship papers

Your child may:

Participate fully in all school activities and programs for which he/she is eligible.
Receive transportation to and from the school of origin if you request it.
Continue to attend the school in which he/she was last enrolled even if you have moved away from that school’s attendance area.
Qualify automatically for school nutrition programs.

Your responsibilities are to:

Make sure your child gets to school on time and ready to learn.
Stay informed of school rules, regulations, and activities.
Contact the homeless liaison for assistance in removing barriers to your child’s education.
Attend parent/teacher conferences, Back-to-School Nights, and other school-related activities.

Definition of Youth Experiencing Homelessness

Lacks a regular, fixed and adequate nighttime residence (substandard housing, no water or electricity).
Is sharing housing due to economic hardship (doubled-up/tripled-up).
Is living in a public place not designated for sleeping (cars, parks, abandoned buildings, bus/train stations, motels, weekly rate housing, trailer parks, campgrounds and emergency or transitional shelters).
Is staying with friends or family because he/she is a runaway or unaccompanied youth (without parent or guardian).
Is a child abandoned in a hospital.
Is a migrant child who qualified under any of the above.

Our Commitment

The McKinney-Vento Assistance Act ensures educational rights and protections for children experiencing homelessness. The San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools EHCY is committed to:

Assisting the child's immediate enrollment in school.
Ensuring equal access to all education, school activities and programs available.
Providing parents and students with information to be successful in school.
Assisting in obtaining medical and other records.

What You Can Do

Support children and youth experiencing homelessness.
Volunteer to tutor children in the community to ensure success.
Donate backpacks and school supplies to ensure that children and youth experiencing homelessness receive the necessary tools to be successful in school.
Collaborate with agencies in the community to assist children and families experiencing homelessness.