• The Stewart B. McKinney Assistance Act of 1994 is the primary federal legislation that directly addresses the education of homeless children and youth. The McKinney Act is important in educating homeless children for the following reasons:

      • It requires that all homeless young people have access to a free and appropriate education;
      • It requires every state to review and revise all laws, regulations, practices or policies that may act as a barrier to the enrollment, attendance, or success in the school of homeless children;
      • It stipulates that homelessness alone should not be a sufficient reason to separate students from the mainstream school environment;
      • It requires that homeless children and young people have access to the education and services they need to ensure them an opportunity to meet the same challenging state standard to which all students are held;
      • It requires state education agencies to appoint a Coordinator for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth;
      • It requires each state to adopt a plan to provide for the education of each homeless child or homeless youth within the state; and
      • It allocates money for the states to distribute in competitive, discretionary grants for programs that are created to meet the needs of homeless children.

      The liaison shall ensure that:

      Homeless children are identified by school personnel and through outreach and coordination activities with other entities and agencies;
      Homeless children are enrolled in, and have a full and equal opportunity to succeed in, district schools;
      Homeless families and homeless children have access to and receive educational services for which they are eligible, including services through Head Start programs (including Early Head Start programs) under the Head Start Act, early intervention services under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and other district preschool programs;
      Homeless families and homeless children receive referrals to health care, dental, mental health and substance abuse, housing, and other appropriate services;
      The parents or guardians of homeless children are informed of the available educational and related opportunities and are provided meaningful opportunities to participate in the education of their children;
      Public notice of the educational rights of homeless children is disseminated in locations frequented by parents or guardians of such children, and unaccompanied youths, including schools, shelters, public libraries, and soup kitchens, in a manner and form understandable to the parents and guardians of homeless children, and unaccompanied youths;
      Enrollment disputes are mediated;
      The parent or guardian of a homeless child, and any unaccompanied youth, are fully informed of all transportation services, including transportation to the school of origin, and are assisted in accessing transportation to the school of enrollment;
      School personnel providing services under the McKinney-Vento Act receive professional development and other support; and
      Unaccompanied youths:
      Are enrolled in school;
      Have opportunities to meet the same challenging state academic standards as the state establishes for other children; and 
      Are informed of their status as independent students under section 480 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and that the youths may obtain assistance from the liaison to receive verification of such status for purposes of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. 42 U.S.C. 11432(g)(6)(A), (B)

      McKinney Vento Act

      McKinney Vento Educational Rights

      English Poster, Spanish Poster

      McKinney Vento Liaison
      Charlie Gallardo, Guidance & Counseling Director
      cgallardo@southsanisd.net
      Phone# 210-977-7304 ext. 2310