McKinney-Vento/Homeless

The purpose of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Children and Youth Act is to ensure that all children and youth, including preschoolers, have equal access to the same free and appropriate public education as non-homeless children and youth. In the 2022-2023 school year, Ohio had 24,046 students experiencing homelessness. Locate the most recent state-level enrollment data on students experiencing homelessness on the Ohio Department of Education's Report  Portal. 

What is the McKinney-Vento Act?

• The Mckinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law that creates special protections for homeless students.
• The goal of McKinney-Vento is to make sure that homeless students have the same access to a free and appropriate public education that is provided to other children. This includes the right to a preschool education. 
• This law applies to all homeless students in the State of Ohio.

Who is considered a homeless student?

• Under the McKinney-Vento Act, a homeless student is defined as any child who "lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence."
• This includes traditional ideas of homelessness, such as:
  • Living in a shelter, a car, a public space, a motel, or abandoned building.
•  It also includes other living situations that may not ordinarily be considered homelessness, such as:
  • Sharing the housing of another person due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason.
    • A child whose family has moved in with a family member or friend for these reasons is given the same educational protections as a child who fits the traditional definition of homeless.
    • A family may not identify themselves as homeless, but nevertheless their children may qualify for assistance under McKinney-Vento.

Finding a Local School District Homeless Education Liaison 

The Ohio Educational Directory System (OEDS) has the name and contact information of each public school district and community school homeless education liaison. A homeless education liaison is required in every district and community school. This liaison works with families, community agencies and partners to best support students experiencing homelessness. 

To access the information for a homeless education liaison, follow these steps:

1. Go to the OEDS Directory
2. Search the school district name and then click on the district.
3. Once on the district’s page, select “Personnel” from the top search bar.
4. In “Roles Available to this Organization,” search: Homeless Liaison – ESSA.