McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act

If you have any questions or need additional assistance, please contact Lyn Snow - Director of Student Services 
If your family lives in any of the following situations:
- In a shelter, motel or campground
- On the street
- In an abandoned building, trailer, or other inadequate accommodations, or
- Doubled up with friends or relatives because you cannot find affordable housing
 
Then your school-aged children have certain rights or protections under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
 
When you move, you should do the following:
- Contact the school district's local liaison for homeless education for help in enrolling your child in a new school or arranging for your child to continue his/her former placement.
- Contact the school and provide information that will assist the teachers in helping your child.
- Ask the local liaison for homeless education, the shelter provider or social worker for help with clothing and supplies, if needed.

 

Education of Homeless Children and Youth Program

This program works to ensure the enrollment, attendance and the opportunity to succeed in school for homeless children and youth. This program collaborates with other state agencies and community providers to support homeless families and their students.

Note: Massachusetts has seen an influx of children impacted by major hurricanes in school year 2017-2018. Please remember that children who have lost their housing are protected under McKinney-Vento and have the right to immediate enrollment in school even if they do not have the documentation usually required to enroll. These Frequently Asked Questions (links below)  address the needs of families who have lost their housing in the recent hurricanes.

Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education - McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act

Important: Please see the DESE  Educational Stability for Students in Foster Care page for information about implementing and ensuring educational access and stability for children in foster care as required by the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

Homeless Education Liaison Contact List

State-level Contacts

For technical assistance, complaints or other questions please contact the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Problem Resolution Services staff at 781-338-3700 or  compliance@doe.mass.edu.

Shirley Fan-Chan , Homeless Education State Coordinator - 781-338-6310 Email: shirley.fan-chan2@mass.gov

Chris Pond, DESE Foster Care Point of Contact
Email: christine.a.pond@mass.gov 

James Morrison, Education Manager
Email: james.j.morrison@massmail.state.ma.us 

DESE - Educational Stability

https://www.doe.mass.edu/sfs/edstability.html

Office of Student and Family Support
781-338-3010

Resources/Information:

McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act (Title Vii Part B of McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance and Title IX Part A of ESSA.)

National Center for Homeless Education

Caregiver Authorization Affadavit