• McKinney - Vento

    Who is considered homeless?

    Title IX, Part A of the Every Student Succeeds Act defines homelessness as living in the following places due to a lack of a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.

    • In an emergency or transitional shelter
    • In a motel, hotel, or campground due to lack of an adequate alternative 
    • In a car, park, public place, bus or train station, or abandoned building
    • Doubled up with relatives or friends due to loss of housing or economic hardship
    • In the above conditions and is a migratory child or youth
    • Further descriptions of nighttime residence

    This definition of homelessness applies to children and youth with:

    • Uncertain housing
    • A temporary address
    • No permanent physical address

    Children and youth living in these settings meet criteria for the McKinney-Vento definition of homelessness and have special educational rights.

    Where can a child or youth without a fixed, regular, and adequate residence attend school?
    • The school the child or youth attended before becoming homeless or was last enrolled (school of origin)
    • The school in the attendance area where the child or youth is currently living

     

    How can delays be avoided when enrolling a student experiencing homelessness in school?
    • Enroll the student immediately
    • Contact the previous school and ask that the records be sent electronically or shared over the phone
    • Contact the principal, school counselor, or local homeless education liaison with any concerns
    • Contact the local homeless education liaison to support unaccompanied youth when enrolling in school

     

    Division Liaison

    Jennifer Fuller-Spears
    Secondary Transition Specialist
    600 Waddell Street
    Lexington, Virginia 24450
    Work:  540-784-5014
    Fax:  540-464-4838
    E-mail: jennifer_fuller-spears@rockbridge.k12.va.us

     

    Project Hope State Representative

    Dr. Patricia Popp 
    PO Box 8759
    Williamsburg, Virginia 23187-8795
    757-221-4002  Toll Free: 877-455-3412
    TDD: 757-221-2302  Fax: 757-455-3412
    E-mail: homlss@wm.edu