Homeless Students

The McKinney-Vento Act requires immediate enrollment or the option to remain in the same school even when a student experiencing homelessness no longer resides in the school's attendance zone. Specifically:

• Schools must enroll homeless children and youth immediately, even when:

  • School or health records are unavailable at the time of enrollment.

  • Birth certificates are not available.

  • Proof of residency is not available.[§722(g)(3)(C)]

• Students may stay in their school of origin when in their best interest and if feasible.[§722(g)(3)(A)]

• Unaccompanied youth must be provided educational access through the support of the local homeless education liaison.[§722(g)(6)]

• When parent or student requests for enrollment or maintaining school or origin are denied, schools must provide written explanations of placement decisions and the dispute resolution process.[§722(g)(3)(E)(ii)]

• School divisions must provide appropriate case management to ensure students have access to all educational services for which they are eligible.

• Homeless students must receive services comparable to those of housed students.[§722(g)(4)]

• Transportation to the school of origin must be provided, when appropriate.[§722(g)(1)(J)(iii)]

• Social service agencies and school divisions must work together to serve students.[§722(g)(6)]

• Homeless families and unaccompanied youth must be fully informed of available enrollment options and educational opportunities.[§722(g)(6)]

• Separate schools or programs for homeless children and youth are prohibited, with the exception of several programs not located in Virginia that are specifically named in the McKinney-Vento Act.[§721(3) and §722(g)(1)(J)(i)]

Please contact Duffie Jones at 434.542.5151, if you have any questions regarding homeless education.