New York State Technical and Education Assistance Center for Homeless Students

Students who transfer schools often do worse in school than those who don't transfer. The McKinney-Vento Act can help solve this problem by allowing students to stay in the same school and get free transportation.

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New York State Education Department (NYSED) Forms, Information, and Guidance

Get contact information for the NYSED Homeless Education Program. Find guidance about New York State Laws that cover the education of students experiencing homelessness. Download helpful documents, such as STAC forms, appeal/dispute resolution forms, and sample enrollment forms.

NYSED Homeless Education Program Contact Information

Pat McGuirk, Homeless Education Program Manager

Phone: (518) 473-1236

Email: PMcGuirk@mail.nysed.gov

Roberto Reyes, State Title I Director

Phone: (518) 473-0295

Email: RReyes@mail.nysed.gov

Sheila Evans-Tranumn, State Coordinator for Homeless Education

Phone: (718) 722-2796

Email: STranumn@mail.nysed.gov

State Guidance and Information

The State Education Department and other state agencies, such as the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) periodically issue policy guidance to address common questions regarding the interpretation or implementation of state education law. Click the link above to find relevant state guidance and information on the rights of students experiencing homelessness.

NEW Model Enrollment Form - Residency Questionnaire [Word doc]

Every school district should have students complete and submit a residency questionnaire or enrollment form, which asks about students' living arrangements, in order to identify students experiencing homelessness in the school district.

STAC Forms

The System to Track and Account for Children (STAC) forms are used by NYSED exclusively for reimbursement purposes. Completed STAC forms can also help school districts meet their data reporting requirements, because the STAC forms track the number of homeless students and living situations of these students. Find answers to commonly asked questions about STAC forms.

Appeal Process/Dispute Resolution

All school districts must follow New York State procedure for resolving disputes when a homeless family or unaccompanied youth and school district disagree about a homeless student's designation, right to school selection, enrollment, transportation, etc. Access the NYS-specific dispute resolution/appeal forms and learn more about the dispute resolution process. Find answers to commonly asked questions about the dispute resolution process.

Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA) Transportation Reimbursement Form [PDF]

Youth who are temporarily living in Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) shelters and attending the school of origin in a different district from the shelter must be transported to school. The RHY shelter where the student is residing should provide transportation to school for the student. The shelter will be fully reimbursed for the expense by NYSED. If the RHY shelter is unwilling or unable to provide transportation, the school district of origin must provide transportation and will be eligible for full reimbursement by NYSED. School districts should submit this form to: Nancy Chacoa, NYSED, P.O. Box 7256, Albany, NY 12224. With the completed form, include a cover letter with your school district's federal ID number, and the address where the reimbursement check should be sent.