The McKinney-Vento Act

This act is funded by the federal government and comes to the school district as part of the Moses Lake School District Title Funds allocation. Each year the school district is required to set aside funds to support students covered by McKinney-Vento Act provisions.

The McKinney-Vento Act defines homeless children as “individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.” The act provides examples of children who would fall under this definition:

• Children and youth sharing housing due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason.
• Children and youth living in motels, hotels, trailer parks or campgrounds due to lack of alternative accommodations.
• Children and youth living in emergency or transitional shelters.
• Children and youth abandoned in hospitals.
• Children and youth whose primary nighttime residence is not ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation (e.g. park benches, etc.).
• Children and youth living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations.
• Migratory children and youth living in any of the above situations.

How does McKinney-Vento help these students?

The law makes sure that these students receive a free and suitable public education by removing barriers to school enrollment and full, basic, daily participation in school activities. This includes:

• Immediate enrollment
• Free and Reduced School Lunch
• Help from school with any necessary enrollment documents
• Help from school setting up transportation service (if the student qualifies)
• Help from school with getting basic uniform clothing
• Help from school with basic school supplies
• Help from school with any basic clothing needs
• Help from school with basic high school graduation needs and expenses