Homeless Students

For many students experiencing homelessness, school is the only place of stability in their lives.  All school district employees play a crucial role in creating an environment that is safe and supportive for all students, especially those who are highly mobile and have experienced the trauma that often accompanies homelessness.

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law that protects the educational rights of students experiencing homelessness. It defines “homeless children and youth” as any student who lacks a “fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.” That includes students who are “doubled up” or sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; living in motels, hotels, or camping grounds due to lack of adequate alternative accommodations; living in emergency shelters or transitional housing; and living in cars, or bus stations. This definition includes migrant children who are staying in these situations. Special protections also are provided for “unaccompanied” children or youth who are not living with a parent or guardian and experiencing homelessness on their own.

Common characteristics of students experiencing homelessness, include the following:

• Enrollment at multiple schools, lack of records, gaps in learning, poor/inconsistent attendance.

• Poor hygiene, unmet medical/dental needs, wearing the same clothes repeatedly, fatigue.

• Social and behavioral challenges, such as extreme shyness, withdrawal, or aggression; clinginess; difficulty with peer and/or adult relationships; poor attention span; anxiety late in the school day.

• Lack of participation in field trips and/or afterschool activities, lack of basic school supplies, inability to complete special projects.

Services are provided for students experiencing homelessness include:

• Qualification for free breakfast and lunch.

• Transportation to the “school of origin” if this is in their best interest. The “school of origin” is defined as the last school that the student attended prior to becoming homeless. 

• Students who are experiencing homelessness can enroll in school and begin attending immediately, even if they cannot produce required documents, such as birth certificates, proof of guardianship, immunization records, or proof of residency, or even if they have missed application or enrollment deadlines.

• Students who are experiencing homelessness are also able to participate fully in school activities and access all programs and services for which they are eligible, including extracurricular activities, credit recovery, special education services, etc.

If you believe a student is experiencing homelessness or is at risk of becoming homeless talk to your school counselor.  He/she will talk with the student or parent/guardian and determine if the student is experiencing homelessness.  The school counselor and district social workers will help the student and/or family access a variety of school district and community resources.