The Office of Head Start recognizes homeless children and youths in Section 752(2) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act at 42 U.S.C.11434a (2).  Section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Act, as amended by the ESSA, defines the following terms:

(a) Homeless children and youths means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. The term includes—

(1) Children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; or are abandoned in hospitals.

(2) Children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.

(3) Children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and

(4) Migratory children (as defined in section 1309 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended), who qualify as homeless because they are living in circumstances described in this definition.

(b) Enroll and enrollment include attending classes and participating fully in school activities.

(c) Unaccompanied youth includes a homeless child or youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian.

See the Region 15 McKinney-Vento November flyer here to see how to talk to your children about homelessness.

If you are experiencing homelessness or if you know of a child experiencing homelessness, reach out to the ESC Region 15 McKinney-Vento Liaison, Ella Nichols at 325-481-4062 or email her at ella.nichols@esc15.net. She is a former employee of our Head Start program and will be able to answer any questions you might have in regard to enrollment or homelessness.