The McKinney-Vento Education of Homeless Children and Youth Assistance Act is a federal law that ensures immediate enrollment and educational stability for homeless children and youth. McKinney-Vento provides federal funding to states for the purpose of supporting district programs that serve homeless students.

Defining Homeless: The McKinney-Vento Act defines homeless children as "individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence." The act provides examples of children who would fall under this definition:

• Children and youth sharing housing due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason

• Children and youth living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or campgrounds due to lack of alternative accommodations 

• Children and youth living in emergency or transitional shelters

• Children and youth abandoned in hospitals

• Children and youth whose primary nighttime residence is not ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation (e.g. park benches, etc)

• Children and youth living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations

• Migratory children and youth living in any of the above situations

The U.S. Department of Education has issued its Non-Regulatory Guidance for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth.

Limestone Community High School District #310 Homeless Liaison 

Ms. Katie Marshall, Dean of Students

309.697.6271 ex. 1441 | kmarshall@limestone310.org