Homeless Child & Youth

The McKinney-Veto Homeless Assistance Act, provides certain rights and protections for families experiencing homelessness. According to McKinney-Vento, anyone who lacks fixed, regular and adequate night-time residence is homeless

Homelessness Includes Anyone:

  • Living in emergency shelter or transitional housing

  • Abandoned in hospitals or awaiting foster care placement

  • Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or campgrounds due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations

  • Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, bus or train stations, or similar settings

  • "Doubled Up" living with friends or family due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason

  • An "unaccompanied youth" under the age of 18, living without a parent or guardian

  • Migratory children living in these conditions

Homeless children have the right to:

  • Attend school, no matter where they live or how long they have lived there. You do not need a permanent address to enroll in school.

  • Homeless students are not to be denied school enrollment even if they are unable to produce records typically required for enrollment (e.g., academic records, immunization, and other required health records, proof of residency, or other documentation) or have missed application or enrollment deadlines during any period of homelessness.

  • Continue in the school they attended before they became homeless if that is the parent's choice and is feasible.

  • Receive transportation to and from the school the child last attended prior to becoming homeless if the parent/guardian requests it.

  • Attend school and participate in school programs for children who are not homeless.

  • Participate in extracurricular activities.

School Services Offered:

(some program criteria apply)

  • Free school meals

  • Free transportation services

  • Free school supplies

  • Special education programs if the student has previously received special education services

  • Title I Services

  • Programs to help students learn English

  • Acceleration programs

  • 4K Programs

  • Resources and Referrals

  • Summer School

For more information on Homeless Child and Youth please contact the Cumberland School District liaison,

Abe Ferguson, at 715-822-5123 or email Abe Ferguson.