Definition of homelessness: The law defines a child or youth as homeless as one who lacks a fixed, regular and adequate residence. The following living situations may qualify under McKinney-Vento law: 

• Living with a friend, relative or someone else because they lost their home.

• Staying in a motel or hotel.

• Living in an emergency or transitional shelter or domestic violence shelter.

• Staying in substandard housing.

• Living in a car, park or public place, abandoned building or bus station.

• Living temporarily in substandard housing.

• Living in a campground or an inadequate trailer home.

• Living in a runaway or homeless youth shelter.

• Youth living on their own or has left a permanent living situation

The McKinney Vento Act is a federal law passed to help families who are homeless keep their children in school.

In 2002, the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act was authorized by Congress to cater to the educational needs of children and youth who are homeless. The law mandates that homeless children are entitled to a free and appropriate education, regardless of their unstable living conditions. Furthermore, schools must eliminate any hindrances that could prevent homeless children from enrolling, attending, and succeeding in school. Alamance-Burlington Schools' homeless students' academic and family issues are addressed through the McKinney-Vento Program to assist them in overcoming the challenges they face in school.

The goal of the McKinney-Vento Act is to eradicate obstacles that may obstruct homeless children and youth's access to education and success. As per the Act, State educational agencies (SEAs) are required to assess and adjust any rule, regulation, practice, or policy that may hinder the identification, enrollment, attendance, or academic progress of homeless children and youth [42 U.S.C. § 11431(2)].

Bonita Brown
Coordinator/Liason of Homeless Services 
bonita_brown@abss.k12.nc.us
612 Apple Street
Burlington, NC 27217
(336)380-5507
 
Lisa Phillips
State Coordinator of NC Homeless Education Program
http://center.serve.org/hepnc
PO Box 5367
Greensboro, NC 27435
Phone:  (336) 315-7491