1. Homelessness in Schools
Barbara Gravel
Course # 48T01

2. Presentation Objectives
Define and explain the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
Identification of homeless students
The impact here at our school and how you can help

3. National Data on Homelessness
Up to 1.4 to 2.8 million runaway and homeless youth each year.
10% of children in poverty experience homelessness each year.
Nationally, approximately 39% of the homeless population are children.
Burt, M. (2001, September). What will it take to end homelessness? National Coalition for the Homeless. Retrieved from

4. McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
This law protects the educational rights of children and youth experiencing homelessness
This is a federal law enacted in In 2001, it became part of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act.
Students who transfer schools often do worse than those students who do not have to transfer.
The McKinney-Vento Act addresses this problem by allowing students to stay in their same school and receive free transportation as long as they live within 50 miles of the school.

5. Why is it Necessary to Help These Homeless Students?
In 2004 and 2005, the data provided by the New York State Education Department revealed that homeless students who were unable to stay in their school of origin and had to transfer to a new schools were absent almost twice the rate of homeless students who remained in the same school. This information was revealed by Jared Stein, Assistant Director of the New York State Technical and Education Assistance Center for Homeless Students (NYS-TEACHS).
“It forces students to have to start over when they are already in a great state of stress to begin with,” Mr. Stein said.
Canal, E. (2011, November 13). For a Homeless Child, a Long Ride to 4th Grade. The New York Times. Retrieved from

6. Who Does the McKinney-Vento Act Cover?
Who are homeless children and youth? The McKinney-Vento Act's definition who qualifies as a homeless child or youth is quite broad: "Children and youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence," including, but not limited to:
Sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason ("doubled up").
Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, camping grounds due to lack of adequate alternative accommodations.
Living in emergency or transitional shelters.
Abandoned in hospitals.
Awaiting foster care placement.
Living in a public or private place not designed for humans to live.
Living in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, bus or train stations, etc.
Migratory children living in the above circumstances

7. How Do We Identify These Kids?
Utilize residency questionnaires at time of registration and at time of address change
Word of mouth – school staff members may overhear from students, peers, parents, etc. about a possible homeless situation. Always act on a hunch!
Returned mail, bad phone numbers, news of home fires, bus company notification, contacted by shelters, etc.

8. Impact Here at Our School
This year, our school provided services to 149 homeless students.
Some of these students live outside our school district and we transport them to and from school each day.
All of these students automatically receive free breakfast and lunch at school.
School supplies are available to these children. These supplies include classroom necessities (pens, papers, notebooks, backpacks), hygiene supplies, gym clothes, etc.

9. Funding
Up until December 2010, we used to receive McKinney-Vento grant money to support our homeless population. We received $100,000 per year. The bulk of these funds helped to offset the high cost of transporting out-of-district homeless students. Due to New York State educational budget cuts, our school district has not received any money since January 2011.
The high cost of transportation is now absorbed by our school budget’s general fund. Fundraising efforts by the Homeless Liaison and other school and community volunteers have help to keep the other homeless programs afloat.

10. How You Can Help
Keep your ears open. If you hear of a possible homeless situation, let a guidance counselor, administrator or the homeless liaison know.
Each school building has a bin in their faculty room to collect non-perishable food items. Donated goods are used to feed homeless and impoverished children over the weekend.
Support the school sponsored dress down days. All money goes towards the homeless population.
Keep doing what you always do. Be a great mentor, leader and advocates for your students. You never know what kind of home life your kids are facing outside of the school.