McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance

The Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act

The Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act was signed into law in 1987. The tenets of the law provide children and youth experiencing homelessness with the following:

Immediate enrollment even when records not present;

• Right to remain in the school of origin, if in the student’s best interest;
• Transportation to the school of origin; and
• Support for academic success

Who Are Homeless Children and Youths?

Homeless children and youths are individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including:

• 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;
• 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;
• Children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and
• Migratory children who qualify as homeless because the children are living in circumstances described above.

What Should I Do if I am Experiencing a Homeless Situation?

Facing housing uncertainty can be overwhelming, but you don't have to navigate it alone. Our Homeless Liaison is here to support families going through financial hardship or displacement. If you are experiencing housing instability, the liaison can help determine if your child qualifies for support under the federal McKinney-Vento Act.

To maintain stability for your child, they can remain enrolled in their current school while eligibility is reviewed. Qualified students receive assistance to ensure their education continues uninterrupted, including access to free school meals. We are dedicated to helping your family through this challenging time, please reach out to us for assistance.

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WPS District Homeless Education Liaison

Kelly Franco, Child Study Team Supervisor
Telephone: 609-522-1670 ext. 2425
E-mail: kfranco@wwschools.org

NJ Homeless Hotline

For immediate, confidential 24/7 crisis and housing support in multiple languages, dial 211.

NJDOE State Coordinator for Homeless Education

Saba Suleman

Email: saba.suleman@doe.nj.gov

Telephone: (609) 376-9080

Additional Information:

More information can be found at the New Jersey Homeless Education website.

Other helpful websites:

National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty (NLCHP)

National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE)

Schoolhouse Connection