McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Program helps homeless children have equal access to a free public education as provided to all of the other children in the District. A child is considered homeless if they do not have a regular adequate residence. This means any students living in shelters, in substandard housing, doubled up with friends or relatives because they have no other place to go and cannot afford a home. The other living arrangements included are single room hotels, cars, parks, public places, transitional affidavit.
Homeless Children are guaranteed enrollment in school by The Federal McKinney-Vento Act and California State law if you live:
- In a shelter (family, domestic violence, or youth shelter or transitional living program)
- In a motel, hotel or weekly rate housing
- In a house or apartment with more than one family because of economic hardship or loss
- In an abandoned building, in car, at a campground, or on the street
- In temporary foster care or with an adult who is not your parent or guardian
- In substandard housing (without electricity, water, or heat)
- With friends or family because you are a runaway or an unaccompanied youth
To enroll in or attend school if you live under any of theses conditions, you do NOT need to provide:
- Proof of residency
- Immunization records or tuberculosis skin-test results
- School records
- Legal Guardianship papers
You may:
- Participate fully in all school activities and programs for which you are eligible
- Continue to attend the school in which you were last enrolled even if you have moved away from that school’s attendance zone or district
- Receive transportation from your current residence back to your school or origin
- Qualify automatically for child nutrition program (free and reduced-price lunches and other district food programs).
- Contact the district liaison to resolve any disputes that arise during the enrollment process.
For questions about enrolling in school or for assistance with school enrollment, contact:
Your local School District Liaison for the homeless:
- School Community Liaisons
- Cammie Nguyen, Assistant Superintendent of Special Education and Student Services - (562) 690-2336
Your County Liaison for the homeless:
- Jeanne Awrey, Manger Student Services, Orange County Department of Education (714) 966-4093
Your State Coordinator for the homeless:
- Leanne Wheeler – State Coordinator, California Department of Education 1-866-856-8214