The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law that ensures immediate enrollment and educational stability for children and youth experiencing homelessness. Under this act, students who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence are provided specific rights and services to support their educational journey.

Students qualify for McKinney-Vento services if they are:

• Sharing housing due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reasons.

• Living in motels, hotels, or campgrounds due to lack of alternative accommodations.

• Residing in emergency or transitional shelters.​

• Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings.

• Unaccompanied youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian.

Eligible students have the right to:

• Immediate enrollment in school, even without typical documentation (e.g., proof of residency, immunization records).​

• Continue attending their school of origin, if in their best interest.​

• Receive transportation to their school of origin.​

• Access educational services comparable to those provided to other students.​

• Participate in extracurricular activities and all federal, state, or local programs for which they are eligible.

Students and families who believe they may qualify for these services should contact Jennifer Bunn, the FCPS McKinney-Vento Liaison.