Eligibility
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Who is eligible for services?
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act was originally authorized in 1987 and most recently re-authorized in December 2015 by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The federal legislation ensures children and youth experiencing homelessness have immediate and equal access to public education. The Act makes certain provisions available for homeless (i.e. unhoused) students, and defines homelessness as lacking "a fixed, regular, or adequate nighttime residence.” A student is considered homeless if he/she lacks any one of these three and lives…
- in a shelter
- in a motel
- in a car, park, bus station, or other public space
- in a campground or substandard house or trailer (no utilities, open to outside elements, pest infestation)
- doubled-up with another family on a temporary basis due to loss of housing
- as a youth unaccompanied by a parent or legal guardian
State Law - Texas Education Code
All Texas public schools, charter schools, and education service center (known as local education agencies, i.e. LEAs), must follow federal rules concerning the education of homeless students. Texas Education Code (TEC) address educational rights for homeless students.
TEA policy can be accessed via this link:
District Policy for Homeless Students
There are a variety of Board policies regarding homeless students. They can be accessed via this link:
How do I notify the district that my child is unhoused?
If you and your child become unhoused (i.e. homeless) during the school year, you can notify the campus by completing a Student Residency Questionnaire (link below). Following submission of this information, a Liaison with the H.E.L.P. program will reach out to you to discuss what supports and services your child needs to successfully continue with their education. If you have more than 1 child, please complete a separate form for each.
What does the enrollment process for homeless students look like?
