McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Program
The Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) program is supported by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, a federal law that ensures students experiencing homelessness can enroll, attend, and succeed in school. Originally passed in 1987 and reauthorized under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) in 2016, the McKinney-Vento Act protects the educational rights of children and youth who lack stable housing.
Under this law, schools must provide homeless students with equal access to a free, appropriate public education—including public preschool programs—and the services they need to meet state academic standards. Schools and districts must also remove any barriers that may prevent homeless students from being identified, enrolled, or fully participating in school.
For more information about student rights and services under the McKinney-Vento Act, please explore the resources linked on this page.