Homeless Education

Who is considered homeless?

Title IX, Part A of the Every Child Succeeds Act (ESSA) defines homelessness as living in the following places due to a lack of a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.

In an emergency or transitional shelter
In a motel, hotel or campground
In a car, park, public place, bus or train station, or abandoned building
Doubled up with relatives or friends
In the above conditions and is a migratory child or youth

This definition of homelessness applies to children and youth with:

Uncertain housing
A temporary address
No permanent physical address

Children and youth living in these settings meet the criteria for the McKinney-Vento definition of homelessness and have special educational rights.

Where can a child or youth without a fixed, regular, and adequate residence attend school?

The school the child or youth attended before becoming homeless or was last enrolled (school of origin)
The school in the attendance area where the child or youth is currently living

How can delays be avoided when enrolling a student experiencing homelessness in school?

Enroll the student immediately
Contact the previous school and ask that the records be sent electronically or shared over the phone
Contact the principal, school counselor, or local homeless education liaison with any concerns
Contact the local homeless education liaison to support unaccompanied youth when enrolling in school

For more information on enrollment and services for students experiencing homelessness, contact our local homeless education liaison,

Kelly Stock, Pupil Personnel Coordinator at 804-541-6400 or email at [email protected]

Additional information can be found here www.wm.edu/hope from Project HOPE Virginia.