Assistance for Students Experiencing Homelessness (McKinney-Vento Act)

The Mount Vernon School District recognizes the importance of supporting families in a variety of ways and has a dedicated team of School Social Workers assigned at schools throughout our district. They work with students and families on a daily basis providing direct and indirect services to promote and support students’ academic and social development. This includes connecting families with community resources such as mental health, food, housing, and after school programs. If you would like to speak with the School Social Worker at your child’s school, please contact the front office staff.

We also realize that many of our students and families are struggling with housing and that securing and maintaining a reliable, consistent, and adequate place to live can be challenging. If you are struggling with housing, doubling-up with family members and/or friends, living in a motel/shelter/car/mobile home, or living in an apartment/house that is substandard (ex. lacks reliable utilities, infested mold or vermin, etc.) please reach out to your schools' front office. They can put you in touch with one of our School Social Workers who will gather more information from you to identify what support you may be eligible to receive. On this page you find more information about the McKinney-Vento Act, and local and national resources.

The McKinney-Vento Education of Homeless Children and Youth Assistance Act is a federal law that ensures immediate enrollment and educational stability for homeless children and youth. McKinney-Vento provides federal funding to states for the purpose of supporting district programs that serve students experiencing homelessness.

The McKinney-Vento Act defines homelessness as "lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence." Some examples of children who would fall under this definition:

Children and youth sharing housing due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason
Children and youth living in motels, hotel, trailer parks, or campgrounds due to lack of alternative accommodations
Children and youth living in emergency or transitional shelters
Children and youth abandoned in hospitals
Children and youth whose primary nighttime residence is not ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation (e.g. park benches, etc)
Children and youth living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations
Migratory children and youth living in any of the above situations

Rights of the Student:

Under the McKinney-Vento Act you have a right to an education without barriers, which means you can:

Enroll regardless of ability to present student records and immunizations
Receive assistance with securing necessary school and medical documents, records, and immunizations
Attend school of origin or school of residence
Continue attending school of origin for the remainder of the school year after permanent housing is secured
Gain equal access to programs available to other students (EL, Title 1, Special Education)
District transportation to/from school of origin/residence
Receive free school meals
Be referred to community resources and agencies

For more information:

OSPI - State of Washington, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

NCHE - National Center for Homeless Education

School House Connection Youth Resources

Mount Vernon School District Liaison
Brad Edwards
Phone: 360-610-7721
bradedwards@mvsd320.org

Skagit Academy

Assistance for Students Experiencing Homelessness (McKinney-Vento Act)

Rights of the Student:

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