Homeless Resources
Jina Rudolph
rudolphj@russellcsd.net
Director of Federal Programs
Mary McBride
mcbridem@russellcsd.net
Parent Involvement Specialist Homeless Liaison
The Mckinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
The Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program Is Funded Under the Mckinney –Vento Homeless Assistance Act to Ensure That Homeless Children and Youth Have Access to the Same Free, Appropriate Public Education That Is Provided to All Children. It Further Requires That Attendance Laws Not Be Used to Keep Homeless Children and Youth from Attending School.
Who Is Homeless?
The Mckinney-Vento Act (Section 725) Defines “Homeless Children and Youth” (School-age and Younger) As:
- Children and Youth Who Lack a Fixed, Regular, and Adequate Nighttime Residence, Including Children and Youth Who Are:
- Sharing the Housing of Other Persons Due to Loss of Housing, Economic Hardship, or a Similar Reason (I.e. “Doubled-up”).
- Living in Motels, Hotels, Trailer Parks, or Camping Grounds Due to Lack of Alternative Adequate Accommodations.
- Living in Emergency or Transitional Shelters (I.e., Penelope House, Salvation Army, Etc).
- Abandoned in Hospitals.
- Children and Youth Who Have a Primary Nighttime Residence That Is a Public or Private Place Not Designed for, or Ordinarily Used As, a Regular Sleeping Accommodation for Human Beings.
- Children and Youth Who Are Living in Cars, Parks, Public Spaces, Abandoned Buildings, Substandard Housing, Bus or Train Stations, or Similar Settings.
- Migrant/EL Children Who Qualify As Homeless If They Are Living in Circumstances Described Above.
- The Term Unaccompanied Youth Includes a Young Person Not in the Physical Custody of a Parent or Guardian. This Would Include Runaways Living in Runaway Shelters, Abandoned Buildings, Cars, on the Streets, or in Other Inadequate Housing; Children and Youth Denied Housing by Their Families (Sometimes Referred to As “Throwaway Children and Youth”); and School-age Unwed Mothers Living in Homes for Unwed Mothers Because They Have No Other Housing Available.