McKinney-Vento

3, 913 pencils represent the number of homeless children and youth reported by NH schools during the 2016-2017 school year.

3, 913 pencils represent the number of homeless children and youth reported by NH schools during the 2016-2017 school year.

Provides certain rights and protection for families experiencing homelessness.
According to the McKinney-Vento, anyone who lacks a fixed, regular and adequate night-time residence is homeless.

For more information about your child(ren)'s rights under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, please contact:

Courtney Porter, SAU#6 Homeless Liaison
603-543-4220 ext. 1035

Christina Dotson, New Hampshire Department of Education McKinney-Vento Liaison

603-271-3840

A student is considered "homeless" if he or she is presently:

  • Living in a shelter

  • Living in a motel, hotel, or campground due to lack of adequate housing

  • 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" living without a parent/guardian

  • A child of a migrant worker

  • In other situations that are not fixed, regular, or adequate for nighttime residence

Know your educational rights!
Under the federal McKinney­-Vento Act, children and youth in homeless situations have the right to:

  • Enroll in school immediately, even if missing records and documents normally required for enrollment, such as a birth certificate, proof of residence, previous school records, or immunization/medical records

  • Enroll, attend classes, and participate fully in all school activities while the school gathers records

  • Attend either the local school or the "school of origin", if this is in their best interest; the "school of origin" is the school the child attended when he/she was permanently housed or the school in which the child was last enrolled

  • Receive transportation support to and from the "school of origin" if in the best interest of the child(ren)

  • Free breakfast and lunch for the school year

  • Receive the same special programs and services, if needed, as provided to all other children served in these programs