Families in Transition
What is the McKinney-Vento Act?
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a US federal law that focuses on ensuring educational rights and support for children and youth experiencing homelessness. The law mandates that homeless students have access to free and appropriate public education--including enrollment in school--even if they lack typical documentation and the ability to attend their school of origin.
In essence, the law aims to ensure that students facing difficult life situations--specifically, homelessness--have reliable access to a solid foundation and education at school.
Asking for help is hard. We want to make it easy.
Getting assistance is easy. Simply fill out the form below, and we'll help you with the rest!
- Fill out the HHSC Housing Form
- If you meet the criteria, you'll be contacted by Ms. Jennifer Luce, our District Liaison, for next steps
A Parent's Guide to Rights of Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness
Read through this brochure to learn about resources that are available to you. It also includes general information about what you can do and how you can support your child. Remember, we're here for you!
Contact Us
Jennifer Luce
Hamilton Heights District Liaison
jluce@hhschuskies.org
(317) 984-3538 ext 5050
Flora Jones
Director of Student Pathways & Opportunities
McKinneyVentoPOC@doe.in.gov
(317) 232-0957
Charie Gibson
Homeless Education Specialist
McKinneyVentoPOC@doe.in.gov
(317) 232-0957
Housing Form
Fill out the HHSC Housing Form digitally, or you may download a copy to print and submit. Filling out this form ensures that you and your child can receive the support you need.
Who is considered homeless?
In this context, "homeless" refers to children who don't have a permanent (regular) and adequate nighttime residence.
This includes these kinds of situations:
- Sharing a home with others following the loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar situations (also known as "doubling up")
- Living in a hotel, motel, trailer park, or campground due to lack of alternatives
- Living in a transitional or emergency shelter
- Living in a place not designed for humans to live (public or private), including areas like cars, parks, substandard housing, abandoned buildings, buses, or train stations
- Unaccompanied youth (children who meet the definition of homeless and are not in the physical custody of a guardian or parent)
Homeless Students' Rights
The McKinney-Vento Act is written to ensure that homeless students have the right to receive an education. According to Indiana Department of Education's website, these are the rights afforded by the McKinney-Vento Act:
- Homeless students may attend their school of origin or the school where they are temporarily residing;
- Homeless students must be provided a written statement of their rights when they enroll and at least two times per year;
- Homeless students may enroll without school, medical, or similar records;
- Homeless students have a right to transportation to school;
- Students must be provided a statement explaining why they are denied any service or enrollment;
- Students must receive services, such as transportation, while disputes are being settled;
- Students are automatically eligible for Title I services;
- School districts must reserve a portion of Title IA funds to serve homeless students;
- School districts must review and revise policies that provide barriers to homeless students;
- Schools must post information in the community regarding the rights of homeless students, in schools and other places that homeless families may frequent; and
- School districts must identify a McKinney Vento Liaison to assist students.