Mckinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act

The Mckinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act:

  • Provides certain rights and protection for families experiencing homelessness.

  • According to the McKinney-Vento, anyone who lacks a fixed, regular and adequate night-time residence is homeless.

A student is considered"homeless" if he or she is presently:

  • Living in a shelter

  • Living in a motel, hotel, or campground due to lack of adequate housing

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

  • "Doubled up" living with friends or family due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason

  • An "unaccompanied youth" living without a parent/guardian

  • A child of a migrant worker

  • In other situations that are not fixed, regular, or adequate for nighttime residence

Under the federal McKinney­-Vento Act, children and youth in homeless situations have the right to:

  • Enroll in school immediately, even if missing records and documents normally required for enrollment, such as a birth certificate, proof of residence, previous school records, or immunization/medical records

  • Enroll, attend classes, and participate fully in all school activities while the school gathers records

  • Attend either the local school or the "school of origin", if this is in their best interest; the "school of origin" is the school the child attended when he/she was permanently housed or the school in which the child was last enrolled

  • Receive transportation support to and from the "school of origin" if in the best interest of the child(ren)

  • Free breakfast and lunch for the school year

  • Receive the same special programs and services, if needed, as provided to all other children served in these programs

For more information, please contact Felecia Foley at 603-469-3250

To access forms, please see below.

NH DOE Dispute- Written Notification Of Decision

Education Homeless Dispute Resolution Process

Best Interest Determination

Dispute Resolution