McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001 ensures educational rights and protections for children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness by removing barriers to school enrollment and daily participation in school activities. Under this act, various living situations may be considered homelessness and may qualify the child, youth, or family for certain services. To learn more about services in Pennsylvania, visit the Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH) Program website .
Children and youth in public schools are eligible for certain protections under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act if they have been displaced from their homes and live in a place that is not fixed, regular, or adequate. This includes children and youth:
- Sharing the housing of others due to a loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reasons.
- Living in a car, park, hotel/motel, or campground.
- Living in a shelter or transitional housing program.
- Living in any of the situations listed above without a parent/guardian as an unaccompanied youth.
- Living in any of the situations listed above as the child of a migrant, refugee, or other immigrant.
McKinney-Vento eligible students have the right to:
- Stay in the same school or transfer to the school where they live.
- Immediate school enrollment, even without required documentation (such as a birth certificate).
- Transportation to and from school and school-sponsored extracurriculars.
- Participate in all school programs, including supplemental services and special education.
- Access and receive services from Early Head Start and Head Start programs, Early Intervention services under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and other preschool programs run by the school.
- Assistance with school-related expenses such as supplies, clothing/uniforms, etc.
- Assistance with college planning.
- Referrals to community agencies or other resources.
- Dispute McKinney-Vento eligibility or school selection determinations to Pennsylvania's Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH) Program.
Unaccompanied youth are students living in one of the temporary situations listed above and are not living with a parent or legal guardian. Unaccompanied youth are eligible for additional rights under the McKinney-Vento Act as well as those listed above, including the right to:
- Enroll and participate in school without a parent or guardian.
- Receive assistance with moving on to the next grade or reaching graduation.
- Assistance with applying for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as an independent student without parental income information.
McKinney-Vento Liaison Contact Information
Every public school in the United States has a designated McKinney-Vento liaison to identify and support all eligible students.
If your family is currently displaced/living in a McKinney-Vento eligible situation, contact the Reach Cyber Charter School liaison or the ECYEH Region 2 Office for further assistance and resources:
Liaison Name: Amber Stine
Email: astine@reachcyber.org
Phone Number: 717-745-5282
ECYEH Region 2 Office: (610) 987-8509
Additional Resources
- ECYEH brochure
- ECYEH Shelters Directory (search by zip code)
- PA 211 (a lot of great resources)
- Finding Your Way in PA app (homeless specific resources, food banks and shelter search via zip code)
- Department of Human Services website (apply for various state benefits)
- Application for Birth Certificate for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness (fees waived)
- MKV Board Policy
