If you or your family...

• live with relatives or friends because you can’t find or afford housing on your own

• live on the street

• live in an abandoned building, trailer or a building with inadequate accommodations (these conditions may include lack of electricity, plumbing or running water

• live in a shelter, motel, vehicle or campground.

The McKinney-Vento Education of Homeless Children and Youth Assistance Act provides certain protections.

You and your child have a right to:

• Go to school, no matter where you live or how long you have lived there.

• Continue to go to the school you/your children were attending before becoming homeless, or the school last attended, if that is your preference and it is feasible.

• Receive transportation to the school you/your children attended before becoming homeless, or the school last attended, if you, a parent or guardian asks the school for this transportation.

• Go to school and attend school programs with students who are not homeless.

• Enroll in school without giving a permanent address.

• Enroll in school and attend classes while the school arranges for needed educational and medical records.

• Enroll and attend classes in the school of your choice even while the school and you resolve differences over which school you/your children will attend.

• Receive the same special programs and services given to all other students. Receive transportation to school and to school programs.

• Ask the school district’s homeless liaison for help in getting food, clothing, and school supplies

You and your child may be able to receive:

• Free school lunch

• Free school books and supplies

• Free bus tickets (tokens)

• Transportation to school programs

• Other benefits