New York State Technical and Educational Assistance Center for Homeless Students (NYS-TEACHS) provides information, referrals, and trainings to schools, school districts, social service providers, parents, and others about the educational rights of children and youth experiencing homelessness. HELP LINE Get answers to your questions about McKinney-Vento! The NYS-TEACHS team is here to help liaisons, educators, parents, students, advocates, and others implement McKinney-Vento. 800-388-2014 Have questions about this website and how it's organized? Click HERE to watch a brief website walkthough. Mandatory McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act Training for the 2026-2027 School Year NYS-TEACHS provides free training and webinars for LEAs, social service providers, and other professionals on the educational rights of children and youth experiencing homelessness. McKinney-Vento liaisons must attend one complete live NYS-TEACHS webinar and submit the required survey to receive a certificate of attendance. Liaisons should retain their certificate for documentation purposes during ESSA-Funded Program Monitoring. Please visit NYSTEACH WEBINAR SCHEDULE for the 2026-2027 complete list of trainings. DOWNLOAD PDF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING NYS-TEACHS provides school districts, social service providers, and other professionals with free trainings and webinars about the educational rights of children and youth experiencing homelessness. + Learn more Find a Liaison Find contact information for the local McKinney-Vento liaison serving your school district, charter school, or BOCES. Find a Liaison Order Posters & Brochures Request brochures and posters from NYS-TEACHS Get Brochures & Posters About NYS-TEACHS Meet the team of professionals working to assist school districts, liaisons, parents, and families access the tools they need to better aid those in temporary housing. About NYS-TEACHS DATA View and download spreadsheets containing data on the number of students who experienced homelessness in New York State at any point in the indicated school year. Data on Student Homelessness NEWS & COMMUNICATIONS Now more than ever, meeting the needs of students experiencing homelessness is challenging and critical. New York State Housing Questionnaire 6 days ago 1 min read Tale from the Field: Residency Status versus Temporary Housing Determinations Jun 17 4 min read Tale from the Field: School Selection Rights and a Brief Overnight Stay Jun 1 4 min read Read All News BE A SUBSCRIBER Stay up-to-date with the latest news First Name Last Name Enter your email here Sign Up Thanks for submitting!

Check out our recorded webinars on some of today's most cutting edge Homeless Education topics.  Professional Learning NYS TEACHS offers virtual monthly webinars. All webinars, including upcoming and newly released, will be posted to this page. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@nysteachs.org . Check out our recorded webinars for groundbreaking and innovative intel on some of the most popular topics in homeless education. McKinney-Vento Webinars (State) McKinney-Vento Webinars (NYC) Trauma-Informed Support Webinar Series Mandatory McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act Training for the 2026-2027 School Year Under the federal McKinney-Vento Act, as reauthorized by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), McKinney-Vento liaisons must participate in annual professional development so they can better identify and meet the needs of children and youth experiencing homelessness (42 U.S.C.§§ 11432[f][6] & [g][6][A][ix]). The New York State Education Department (NYSED or “the Department”) requires that the McKinney-Vento liaison from each local educational agency (LEA) attend at least one of the professional development sessions offered by the Department’s technical assistance center, New York State Technical and Educational Assistance Center for Homeless Students (NYS-TEACHS), by June 30, 2027, to comply with the federal training requirement. NYS-TEACHS provides free training and webinars for LEAs, social service providers, and other professionals on the educational rights of children and youth experiencing homelessness. McKinney-Vento liaisons must attend one complete live NYS-TEACHS webinar and submit the required survey to receive a certificate of attendance. Liaisons should retain their certificate for documentation purposes during ESSA- Funded Program Monitoring. Please visit NYSTEACH WEBINAR SCHEDULE for the 2026-2027 complete list of trainings. McKinney-Vento Webinars Back to School with McKinney-Vento 2025-2026 This session will review the provisions of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act as it relates to identification, immediate enrollment and transportation of students experiencing temporary housing. WATCH NOW McKinney-Vento 101 Homeless Assistance Act This session will focus on the key provisions and the important role of the McKinney-Vento liaison in providing these benefits and protections to students. WATCH NOW Roles and Responsibilities of McKinney-Vento Liaisons 2025 -26 This session is designed especially for McKinney Vento liaisons who are new to their role in implementing the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. WATCH NOW Creating A School District McKinney-Vento Homeless Policy 2024 In this webinar, a sample LEA policy on the Education of Students in Temporary Housing will be reviewed to ensure that district policies are in full compliance with updated state and federal laws. WATCH NOW Supporting Students in Temporary Housing-Identification & Eligibility 2025 This webinar will support McKinney-Vento Liaisons in the identification of students experiencing homelessness and in the determination of eligibility for services. WATCH NOW McKinney-Vento Act: Supporting Students with Enrollment & School Selection 2025 This webinar will focus on providing information on how to guide the decision of school selection when considering what is in the best interest of the child/youth. WATCH NOW McKinney-Vento: Meeting the Needs of Unaccompanied Homeless Youth - 2025 This webinar will focus on using the provisions of the McKinney-Vento Act to determine eligibility for benefits and to provide the supports that foster academic success. WATCH NOW McKinney-Vento: Working with Families Experiencing Homelessness This interactive webinar will feature scenarios and offer ways to work with parents experiencing homelessness to ensure the best educational services for their children. WATCH NOW The Role of Transportation Under the McKinney-Vento Act 2025 This webinar will address the key provisions of transportation for students experiencing homelessness. WATCH NOW Supporting Students in Temporary Housing with Title 1 Part A Set-Aside Funds (Rest of State - Not NYC) The webinar will provide information on the purpose of Title 1 funds and how these funds can be used to support students living in temporary housing. WATCH NOW McKinney-Vento: Supporting Young Children Living In Temporary Housing - 2025 This webinar will focus on how the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act applies to young children, specifically preschoolers who experience homelessness. WATCH NOW Understanding the STAC-202 Policy 2026 This webinar will focus on providing information on the STAC 202 process. Opportunities will be provided to determine whether an LEA should apply for tuition reimbursement or direct bill another school district for the cost of educating a student in temporary housing. WATCH NOW Understanding the STAC-202 Process - 2026 This training is recommended for all district personnel, new or as a refresher, who are responsible for overseeing, conducting, or reporting STAC homeless placements. WATCH NOW Preparing Students for Postsecondary Education and Completing the FAFSA 2026 This webinar will discuss these barriers and provide strategies for helping youth experiencing homelessness prepare for and transition to post-secondary education, with particular emphasis on college preparation. Information will be provided on how to complete the FAFSA and obtain fee waivers. WATCH NOW McKinney-Vento Act: Students Attending Charter Schools* *in Rest of State, not NYC 2025 This webinar will provide information on the provisions of the McKinney-Vento law with a focus on enrollment and transportation. (Webinar is intended for Rest of State, not NYC) WATCH NOW Navigating the Dispute Resolution Process 2026 The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act provides a provision, the dispute resolution process, to resolve these types of disagreements. WATCH NOW Data Collection and Reporting* (*Rest of State, not NYC) - 2026 This webinar will provide an opportunity to learn about data sources, the data verification process, and the role of the Student Information Repository System (SIRS) in the data collection process and reporting of students experiencing homelessness. WATCH NOW Meeting the Needs of Students with Disabilities Living in Temporary Housing - November 2025 The webinar will provide information on the intersection of McKinney-Vento and IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) and how LEA’s can support students with disabilities who are living in temporary housing. WATCH NOW Addressing Chronic Absenteeism for Students in Temporary Housing This session equips McKinney-Vento liaisons with evidence-based strategies and practical tools to improve attendance. Participants will explore root causes, examine successful models, hear from students with lived experience, and more. WATCH NOW McKinney-Vento Act: Meeting the Needs of Recently Arrived Children and Youth This webinar will focus on ways to meet the needs of recently arrived children and youth while addressing barriers to academic success. WATCH NOW End of Year Planning for McKinney-Vento Liaisons 2026 The webinar will also address outreach and identification efforts that can occur over the summer, summer school programming and needs assessment tools. WATCH NOW Planning your LEA Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program - 2026 Topics include conducting an informal needs assessment, making data-based decisions, planning efficient collaborations, organizing your work, developing a back-to-school checklist, and practicing self-care. WATCH NOW Supporting Students in Temporary Housing: Liaising Through a Social-Emotional Framework This session will utilize the CASEL framework, specifically the CASEL 5 components: Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Responsible Decision-Making, Relationship Skills, and Social Awareness, as the foundation for our discussion. WATCH NOW Breaking Barriers: Practical Strategies for Engaging Families of Students in Temporary Housing This session examines the relational practices needed to build authentic, trust-based partnerships with families in temporary housing. WATCH NOW McKinney-Vento Webinars - New York City McKinney-Vento Act: Supporting Students Attending Charter Schools in NYC This webinar will provide information on the provisions of the McKinney-Vento law with a focus on enrollment and transportation. WATCH NOW The Role of Transportation to Support Students in Temporary Housing in New York City - 2026 This webinar will will address the key provisions of transportation for students in temporary housing in New York City. WATCH NOW Supporting Students in Temporary Housing with Title 1 Part A Set-Aside Funds in New York City 2023 The webinar will provide information on the purpose of Title 1 funds and how these funds can be used to support students living in temporary housing. WATCH NOW Trauma-Informed Support Webinar Series Creating Trauma-Informed and Responsive Practices in Schools This webinar will be provided by the NYS Trauma Informed Network Resource Center. NYS Trauma Informed Network Resource Center (TINRC) is a division of Coordinated Care Services, Inc. (CCSI) that is funded by NYS Office of Mental Health. READ MORE Promoting Student Mental Health This webinar will introduce school staff to the concept of mental health as a continuum of wellness with special attention to the impact of traumatic experiences, including loss, homelessness, poverty, abuse, and neglect. WATCH NOW Trauma Informed Family Engagement This webinar will explore the impact of trauma on safety and well-being and explore ways to affirm family experiences through trauma-sensitive practices. WATCH NOW Session 1: Understanding Trauma This session will focus on building a foundation of knowledge to understand trauma and its impact on the brain and behavior. WATCH NOW The Intersection of Gender-Based Violence and Homelessness This 90-minute webinar is designed to provide a fundamental knowledge base on the issue of domestic violence as it intersects with homelessness. WATCH NOW Session 2: Practices and Strategies for Safety and Support This session will provide an overview of the principles of trauma-sensitive or -informed care. WATCH NOW Session 3: Self-Care and Coping with Secondary Traumatic Stress This session will focus on the application of the knowledge and concepts explored in becoming trauma informed to experiences in the liaison role. WATCH NOW state city trauma

Homeleless education New York State Education Department Laws & Guidance New York State Education Department Laws & Guidance Although the McKinney-Vento Act is a federal law, New York State laws clarify some of the federal protections and add more. Some important protections for New Yorkers are: Protecting the continued enrollment and transportation for students in their terminal year in a school building (such as their senior year in high school), even after they have found permanent housing; Assigning transportation responsibility to the designated district of attendance; Assigning transportation responsibility to the Local Department of Social Services (LDSS) under certain conditions; More specific information about summer school participation and transportation for students in temporary housing. Topic Resources To locate NYSED Guidance, please sort by category. View topic by category: McKinney-Vento Liaisons Mandatory McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act Training for the 2026-2027 School Year September 2026 NYS-TEACHS provides free training and webinars for LEAs, social service providers, and other professionals on the educational rights of children and youth experiencing homelessness. McKinney-Vento liaisons must attend one complete live NYS-TEACHS webinar and submit the required survey to receive a certificate of attendance. Liaisons should retain their certificate for documentation purposes during ESSA- Funded Program Monitoring. Please visit NYSTEACH WEBINAR SCHEDULE for the 2026 2027 complete list of trainings. Immigrant Students New York State Guidance on Safeguarding the Rights of Immigrant Students January 2025 Joint guidance from the New York State Education Department, the Office of the Attorney General, and the Office of the Governor related to safeguarding the rights of immigrant students in New York State. Summer School McKinney Vento Summer School Information Memo - 2025 May 29, 2025 The Office of ESSA-Funded Programs has released a guidance document for LEAs related to the McKinney-Vento Act requirements during the summer. The McKinney Vento Summer School Information Memo provides LEAs with information on the required actions under the McKinney-Vento Act that LEAs must take to support students experiencing homelessness during the summer break. Outside of the school year, LEAs are required to ensure that students have access to summer school and programming and that barriers to attending programming, such as transportation, are removed. LEAs with questions regarding this memo may email CONAPPTA@nysed.gov , call NYS-TEACHS at 1-800-388-2014, or call Jane Fronheiser, McKinney Vento State Coordinator, at 518-473-0295. Dispute 310 Process LEA Requirements for Implementing McKinney-Vento Homeless Student Dispute Resolution Process July 11, 2024 All LEAs are required to maintain processes to promptly address disputes related to a child’s eligibility under the McKinney-Vento Act, including, but not limited to, disputes regarding a student’s status as a homeless child or unaccompanied youth, school selection, and transportation. Higher Education & Post Secondary Verification of Postsecondary Financial Aid Form Completion or Waiver October 1, 2024 New York State Education Department This NYSED Memo details that at the July 2024 Board of Regents meeting, the Board approved as an emergency adoption the amendment of Section 100.2 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education relating to completion of federal and state financial aid applications by seniors enrolled in school districts. McKinney-Vento Liaisons LEA Policy on the Education of Students in Temporary Housing December 14, 2023 The New York State Education Department (NYSED or “the Department”) is committed to ensuring that students experiencing homelessness have access to the same free appropriate public education, including a public preschool education, as is available to their permanently housed peers. Further, the Department must ensure that local educational agencies (LEAs), which include school districts, charter schools, and BOCES, review and revise policies to improve the identification, enrollment, attendance, and success in school of students in temporary housing. McKinney-Vento Liaisons Accompanying Field Memo of the Sample Local Educational Agency McKinney-Vento Policy December 14, 2023 NYSED Field Memo On December 14, 2023, The Office of ESSA-Funded Programs has released a memorandum to remind LEAs of the requirements related to the review and revision of LEA policies on the Education of Students in Temporary Housing. The memorandum addresses the updated version of the Sample Local Education Agency McKinney-Vento Policy. LEAs are required to periodically review and revise policies for students in temporary housing to ensure that there are no barriers to school attendance and participation (see 42 U.S.C. § 11432(g)(1)(I) and Education Law § 3209(6)(b)). Immigrant Students Educational Services for Recently Arrived Evacuees, Refugees, Immigrants and/ or Unaccompanied Children April 2022 This memo is to inform Local Education Agencies (LEAs) of the educational rights of students who are evacuees who may be living in temporary housing. With many Afghan evacuees being resettled in the United States in recent months, there may be some confusion about the services these students are eligible to receive under Title VI, subtitle B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (McKinney-Vento Act). Unaccompanied youth New York State General Obligations Law, Title 15-A—Designation of Person in Parental Relation Website November 17, 2021 This website is the law that addresses a parent’s power to designate a “person in parental relation” to a child. If a parent is unable to make education-related or medical decisions for a child, they may temporarily designate another person to make those decisions on behalf of the student. Unaccompanied youth New York State General Obligations Law, Title 15-A—Designation of Person in Parental Relation November 17, 2021 This law addresses a parent’s power to designate a “person in parental relation” to a child. If a parent is unable to make education-related or medical decisions for a child, they may temporarily designate another person to make those decisions on behalf of the student. Unaccompanied youth New York State Education Law Section 3212—Persons in Parental Relation November 17, 2021 This State Education Law defines the term “person in parental relation” in cases where a student’s biological or legal parent is unavailable. For more information about unaccompanied youth, please refer to the Unaccompanied Youth page on this website. Immunizations New York State Public Health Law Section 2164—Immunization November 17, 2021 This State Public Health Law explains that students have 14 days (which may be extended to 30 days) during which they may attend school while the school is waiting for proof of immunization. Students in temporary housing have additional protections with regard to submitting proof of immunization. For more information, please see our page on immunizations. Determining Eligibility Billing for the Remainder of the School Year after a Student Becomes Permanently Housed September 24, 2021 This Field Memo provides information about when a district can directly bill another district for tuition for a student who was homeless and has become permanently housed; and what documentation a district should submit to another district when requesting such reimbursement. Determining Eligibility Guidance to LEAs to Support Students Experiencing Homelessness February 16, 2021 NYSED Guidance NYSED and the Office of the Attorney General released this guidance to assist local education agencies in their obligations to students experiencing homelessness to help ensure that they are connected to education and other supports. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of children experiencing homelessness has likely increased, and identifying these students has become more difficult due to remote instruction across the state. This guidance reminds local education agencies of their obligations to students experiencing homelessness and provides available resources to assist local education agencies with their efforts. Summer School McKinney-Vento Summer School Information - 2020 June 23, 2020 NYSED Field Memo NYSED’s 2020 McKinney-Vento Field Memo discusses the rights of students in temporary housing to participate in summer school. This memo reviews access to summer school for students in temporary housing, including fee waivers, transportation, and the use of Title I set-aside funding. McKinney-Vento Liaisons NYSED Guidance on Education of Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness August 2019 NYSED Guidance This August 2019 guidance from NYSED provides basic information on the educational rights of students in temporary housing in NY State, including information on other NYSED guidance, forms, and resources. Title I Title I, Part A Set-Aside for Homeless Students: New Data Collection Procedures, Program Service Code 0892 May 6, 2019 NYSED Field Memo This Memo from NYSED (May 2019) describes how LEAs should enter data in their student management systems on students served with Title I, Part A set-aside funds for students experiencing homelessness. Starting in the 2018-19 school year, all LEAs must report this information for individual students through the Student Information Repository System using Program Service Code 0892. Higher Education & Post Secondary Field Advisory: Diploma Options for Puerto Rican Students Displaced by Hurricanes Irma or Maria June 2018 New York State Education Department NYSED and the Puerto Rico Department of Education (PRDE) have agreed to allow students who were displaced by Hurricane Irma or Maria and subsequently enrolled in a high school in New York State to be offered the opportunity to complete either the New York State diploma requirements or the requirements to earn a diploma from Puerto Rico. This applies to students who had attained 10th, 11th, or 12th grade in Puerto Rico by October 2017. This field memo provides information on the PRDE graduation requirements, the process to request a Puerto Rico high school diploma, and how to code students in SIRS. For more information, contact the Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages at (518) 474-8775. Higher Education & Post Secondary College Counseling and Access for Youth Experiencing Homelessness April 25, 2018 NYSED Field Memo NYSED’s McKinney-Vento Field Memo #03-2018 (April 2018) outlines the responsibilities of Local Educational Agencies (LEAs, including school districts, charter schools, and BOCES) to support students in temporary housing in pursuing college or other post-secondary opportunities. The memo identifies best practices and provides helpful resources LEAs can use to satisfy these responsibilities. Determining Eligibility Students Displaced by 2017 Hurricanes October 12, 2017 New York State Education Department This memo provides information and resources for local educational agencies (LEAs), including school districts, charter schools, and BOCES, regarding the rights of and services available to students displaced by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria in 2017. Commissioner’s Regulation Commissioner's Regulations Section 100.2(x) Updates September 7, 2017 New York State Education Department This NYSED Memo (September 2017) details the amendments to the Commissioner’s regulation governing homeless education (section 100.2(x)), which are effective July 1, 2017. They were updated to conform to the changes in the McKinney-Vento Act as a result of the Every Student Succeeds Act and the recent changes to N.Y. Education Law Section 3209. Education Law 3209 Implementation of Changes to Education Law §3209 and Commissioner’s Regulation §100.2(x) September 6, 2017 NYSED Field Memo NYSED’s McKinney-Vento Field Memo #02-2017 (September 2017) provides important information about changes to Education Law §3209 and Commissioner’s regulation §100.2(x) impacting how New York State school districts and charter schools provide services to students experiencing homelessness. Education Law 3209 New York State Education Law Section 3209, Education of Homeless Children April 20, 2017 NYS Education Law Section 3209 describes the rights of students in temporary housing in New York State. Important changes to New York Education Law Section 3209 went into effect on April 20, 2017. The changes to this law reflect changes to the federal McKinney-Vento Act that were made under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Below, along with the link to download the new text of the law, you will find a link to a marked-up version of Education Law § 3209 that highlights the changes. McKinney-Vento Liaisons New York Consolidated State Plan March 2017 The McKinney-Vento Act requires that all State Education Agencies submit a plan for the education of students who are homeless. The New York Education Department’s homeless education plan is included as part of its Consolidated State Plan under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The homeless education portion of New York’s Consolidated State Plan can be found on pages 197-205. The Consolidated State Plan was issued in March 2017 and finalized in January 2018. Transportation Information on Transportation of Prekindergarten Students under Four Years of Age February 28, 2017 New York State Education Department This memorandum from the New York State Education Department (NYSED) Office of Early Learning and the Office of Educational Management Services provides information about student transportation safety for students under four years of age, including information on appropriate car seats and bus monitors. McKinney-Vento Act Implementation of Changes to McKinney-Vento Homeless Act as a Result of Passage of Every Student Succeeds Act September 29, 2016 NYSED Field Memo NYSED’s McKinney-Vento Field Memo #03-2016 (September 2016) provides important information about how New York State school districts must implement the changes to the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.) as a result of the enactment of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) in December 2015. In general, while States are not required to submit State plans which conform to all of the new ESSA provisions until 2017, ESSA required that State educational agencies and local educational agencies begin implementing the new McKinney-Vento requirements by October 1, 2016. Immigrant Students Guidance Relating to the Right of Individuals Over Compulsory School Age to Attend High School May 2016 New York State Education Department This May 2016 memo explains that all individuals, regardless of citizenship, who reside in New York State (NYS) and are between the ages of 5 and 21, have the right to a free public high school education in their school district of residence. McKinney-Vento Act McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act, Reauthorized by Title IX, Part A of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) December 10, 2015 The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act is a federal law that protects the public education of children and youth experiencing homelessness. The text attached here is the latest version of the law since it was reauthorized on December 10, 2015 by Title IX, Part A of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Transportation Transportation from LDSS for Students Who Are Homeless November 4, 2015 OTDA Administrative Directive Under New York State law, in certain circumstances, the local social services is responsible for arranging and paying for transportation to and from school for students experiencing homelessness. Read this Administrative Directive to find out more about when the local department of social services is responsible for a student’s transportation. Please note: This document does not include information on the transportation changes made under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) which went into effect on October 1, 2016 or the changes to New York State Education Law Section 3209 which went into effect on April 20, 2017. Transportation New York State Education Law Section 3635, Transportation October 30, 2015 This State Education Law addresses school transportation. For more information about transportation for students who are homeless, please see our transportation page. Determining Eligibility Determining McKinney-Vento Eligibility for Students in Direct Placements October 21, 2015 NYS Education Department The purpose of this field memo is to assist Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and McKinney-Vento liaisons (also known as LEA liaisons or homeless liaisons) with McKinney-Vento eligibility determinations when a student has been removed from his/her home because of an allegation of abuse or neglect and the child welfare agency arranges for a relative or family friend to assume temporary custody of the student, rather than place the student in foster care. In most of these cases, at least initially, the student should be considered homeless and therefore protected under the McKinney-Vento Act and related state law. Early Childhood District-Administered Pre-K Programs for Children in Temporary Housing June 2015 NYSED Field Memo NYSED’s McKinney-Vento Field Memo #04-2015 (June 2015) provides guidance on the rights of students in temporary housing to access public preschool education programs offered by a school district. It also provides guidance to school districts on outreach and identification of preschool age temporarily housed children, how to request funding and seek class-size variance requests for programs that may already be full, and other early childhood education programs and services that may be available. PLEASE NOTE: Documents dated before 2016 may not reflect the amendments to the McKinney-Vento Act as a result of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the 2017 amendments to New York State Education Law Section 3209, and/or 2017 amendments to the Commissioner’s Regulations. Immunizations Joint Guidance on State Requirements for Vaccinations March, 2015 NYSED Field Memo NYSED’s McKinney-Vento Field Memo #02-2015 (March 2015) provides important changes to New York Education Law Section 3209 governing the rights of students in temporary housing went into effect on April 20, 2017. They reflect changes to the federal McKinney-Vento Act that were made under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Immediate enrollment and immunizations are discussed in sub-section (2)(e)-(f). STAC 202 Guidance Regarding Out-of-State/Country Children who become Homeless and Tuition Reimbursement March 2015 NYSED Field Memo NYSED’s McKinney-Vento Field Memo #01-2015 (March 2015) clarifies that schools districts cannot get additional state aid for instruction (also referred to as tuition reimbursement) through the STAC 202 process for students experiencing homelessness who were last permanently housed outside of New York State. Immigrant Students Educational Services for Recently Arrived Unaccompanied Children September 10, 2014 New York State Education Department The New York State Education Department issued this September 10, 2014 letter to all school districts regarding educational services for recently arrived unaccompanied immigrant children, many of whom may be eligible for services under the McKinney-Vento Act. STAC 202 Homeless Guidance for Permanent Placement / McKinney-Vento Eligible Students and Tuition Reimbursement September 26, 2013 NYSED Field Memo NYSED’s McKinney-Vento Field Memo #06-2013 (September 2013) clarifies when a school district can receive additional state aid for instruction for the cost of educating a student in temporary housing and how to request such aid. PLEASE NOTE: Documents dated before 2016 may not reflect the amendments to the McKinney-Vento Act as a result of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the 2017 amendments to New York State Education Law Section 3209, and/or 2017 amendments to the Commissioner’s Regulations. Charter Schools Charter School Guidance Q&A May 23, 2013 NYSED Field Memo NYSED’s McKinney-Vento Field Memo #03-2013 (May 2013) answers common questions related to how McKinney-Vento applies to Charter Schools including: how to determine which school district pays the charter school tuition, who provides transportation, and basic information about reimbursement. Determining Eligibility Extreme Weather Events in New York State and the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act November 21, 2012 NYSED Field Memo NYSED’s McKinney-Vento Field Memo #04-2012 (November 2012) describes how and when McKinney-Vento protections apply to students displaced by a disaster. Transportation Extreme Weather Events: Hurricane Sandy/Nor'easter and Transportation for Nonpublic, Homeless and Charter School Students November 21, 2012 New York State Education Department This memo provides information about transportation of students post-Superstorm Sandy, including students attending nonpublic schools. However, please note that transportation protections, privacy protections, and access to pre-school programs, for example, have been expanded under state and federal law since the memo was published. Charter Schools New York City Charter Schools and Community School District Preference for Homeless Students (b) October 2010 A follow-up memo, NYSED’s McKinney-Vento Field Memo #03-2010 A (October 2010) provides answers to questions on this topic and is meant to clarify the memo above. PLEASE NOTE: Documents dated before 2016 may not reflect the amendments to the McKinney-Vento Act as a result of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the 2017 amendments to New York State Education Law Section 3209, and/or 2017 amendments to the Commissioner’s Regulations. Charter Schools New York City Charter Schools and Community School District Preference for Homeless Students (a) July, 2010 NYSED Field Memo NYSED’s McKinney-Vento Field Memo #03-2010 (July 2010) discusses in which community school districts within NYC children who are homeless may claim preference in order to participate fully in charter school admissions lotteries. PLEASE NOTE: Documents dated before 2016 may not reflect the amendments to the McKinney-Vento Act as a result of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the 2017 amendments to New York State Education Law Section 3209, and/or 2017 amendments to the Commissioner’s Regulations. McKinney-Vento Liaisons Homeless Testing Memo April 2010 New York State Education Department This 2010 memo to school administrators addresses the potential barriers confronting homeless students taking state assessments. School administrators, along with state agencies providing services to homeless students, should be well aware of state testing requirements and test schedules and should work to make sure that homeless students are not denied access to these examinations. Enrollment & School Selection McKinney-Vento Guidance Regarding Shared Housing Affidavit October 2009 NYSED Field Memo NYSED’s McKinney-Vento Field Memo #06-2009 (October 2009) describes the limits on when school districts can use shared housing and proof of residency affidavits in the enrollment of students claiming to be homeless. Note: This memo was published in 2009 and thus does not contain the most up-to-date housing questionnaire. For that document, please see Housing Questionnaire.

All Local Educational Agencies (LEAs), which includes all school districts, charter schools, and BOCES, must designate an appropriate staff person to serve as the McKinney-Vento liaison to help students in temporary housing and their families. Liaisons: McKinney-Vento and the Role of the Liaison Read more about Liaison Responsibilities All Local Educational Agencies (LEAs), which includes all school districts, charter schools, and BOCES, must designate an appropriate staff person to serve as the McKinney-Vento liaison to help students in temporary housing and their families. FAQ for this topic Featured Resources Introduction to the McKinney-Vento Act DOWNLOAD Facilitator Guide DOWNLOAD Liaisons Mandatory McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act Training for the 2026-2027 School Year NYSED Field Memo NYS-TEACHS provides free training and webinars for LEAs, social service providers, and other professionals on the educational rights of children and youth experiencing homelessness. McKinney-Vento liaisons must attend one complete live NYS-TEACHS webinar and submit the required survey to receive a certificate of attendance. Liaisons should retain their certificate for documentation purposes during ESSA- Funded Program Monitoring. Please visit NYSTEACH WEBINAR SCHEDULE for the 2026-2027 complete list of trainings. New Liaisons Local Homeless Education Liaisons: Important Information for New Local Liaisons NCHE Publication This NCHE brief assists new local liaisons with: understanding the responsibilities of the local liaison position, becoming familiar with procedures and resources for serving homeless students in their LEA, determining where to target their time and effort, and identifying resources and support for becoming an effective local liaison. Liaisons Local Homeless Education Liaisons: Understanding Their Role NCHE Publication This NCHE brief provides information on the role of the local homeless education liaison; reviews duties of the local liaison, as required by the McKinney-Vento Act; and provides strategies for local liaisons to carry out their responsibilities, and for district administrators to support them in their work. Liaisons LEA Policy on the Education of Students in Temporary Housing NYSED Field Memo The New York State Education Department (NYSED or “the Department”) is committed to ensuring that students experiencing homelessness have access to the same free appropriate public education, including a public preschool education, as is available to their permanently housed peers. Further, the Department must ensure that local educational agencies (LEAs), which include school districts, charter schools, and BOCES, review and revise policies to improve the identification, enrollment, attendance, and success in school of students in temporary housing. Topic Resources View resources by responsibility: Identification New York State Housing Questionnaire (English) This form is to be completed when a student first enrolls, and any time a change in housing status occurs. There are no wrong answers. This form may be filled out independently, or the McKinney-Vento Liaison can assist. To access a list of McKinney-Vento Liaisons, please visit https://www.nysteachs.org/liaisons Identification New York State Housing Questionnaire: MV Liaison Companion Refer to this page when supporting a family. Do not hand this form to families. ✓ Ensure placement of a housing questionnaire within the first few pages of the registration packet (paper or electronic). ✓ NYSED requires implementation and administration of a housing questionnaire at the time of enrollment and upon any change of address. Unaccompanied Youth NCHE: Students Living with Caregivers: Tips for Local Liaisons and School Personnel This brief explores caregiver living situations and offers strategies that local homeless education liaisons (hereafter referred to as local liaisons) and school staff can implement to ensure that these students and their caregiver families receive appropriate services. Identification NYSED Guidance on Education of Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness NYSED Guidance This August 2019 guidance from NYSED provides basic information on the educational rights of students in temporary housing in NY State, including information on other NYSED guidance, forms, and resources. Referrals for Health, Housing, & Other Services Chancellor's Regulations A-780 NYC Dept. of Education This regulation updates and supersedes Chancellor’s Regulation A-780 dated June 29, 2009. It has been amended to conform to the provisions of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 2001, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015, and ensures that homeless children receive the programs and services that children with permanent residences receive, including services provided under federal programs. Referrals for Health, Housing, & Other Services Chancellor’s Regulations A-101 NYC Dept. of Education This Chancellor's Regulation Clarifies the process for students seeking enrollment into non-zoned schools for elementary and middle school grades (§§ II.E.4, II.F.2.d, II.H). • Modifies that Committee on Special Education or school will develop a Comparable Service Plan to provide a child with services comparable to those described in a nonDOE IEP (§ V.B.1). Referrals for Health, Housing, & Other Services NYC Housing Enrollment Forms NYC DOE The forms posted on this site are for schools and Family Welcome Center staff to share with families. Each form is available in ten languages, and most forms are PDFs that can be filled out online. For children entering grades 3-K through kindergarten in September 2020, please reach out to the program where you’ve accepted an offer regarding specific registration instructions. Referrals for Health, Housing, & Other Services Title I STH Funds Short Guide: Supporting Students in Temporary Housing NYC Department of Education Federal law requires that all school districts reserve a portion of their Title I federal funds to address the specific needs of students in temporary housing (STH). To comply with this mandate, all NYC DOE schools are allocated Title I STH Funds (Title I STH). All Title I and non Title I schools with students in temporary housing receive this allocation. Referrals for Health, Housing, & Other Services Checklist for NYC Dept of Education School-Based Liaisons NYS-TEACHS This worksheet, created by NYS-TEACHS, is a checklist of responsibilities for NYC Students in Temporary Housing School-Based Liaisons. It is intended for use as an organizational tool for School-Based Liaisons to keep track of activities and resources for serving students in temporary housing. Referrals for Health, Housing, & Other Services Referrals Guide These supports include early education, health and mental health care, housing, and other appropriate supports. Our template referral lists are intended to help you streamline your referral process and/or provide information that may be needed in a sensitive manner. Please note that these forms don’t replace individualized assistance; they are meant to give you and your families a starting point and summary of local referrals. Training for Colleagues Communications Guide for McKinney-Vento Liaisons NYS-TEACHS Centering Anti-Racist Approaches to Conversations with Families and Colleagues McKinney-Vento liaisons are responsible for the identification, enrollment, and the removal of educational barriers for students experiencing homelessness. McKinney-Vento liaisons can create meaningful change in their districts and the lives of students experiencing homelessness by providing internal trainings and connecting students to educational resources and community referrals. Unfortunately, due to systemic racism across many aspects of American life, Black, Latinx, Native American, and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities experience homelessness at disproportionate rates compared to white and Asian communities. Systemic racism exists in schools; therefore, it is crucial for McKinney-Vento liaisons to reflect on school protocols and narratives that reinforce racial bias and inequity. Even small intentional changes, such as in our semantics, can have positive effects on family relationships and ultimately, the well-being and success of students. We created this tip sheet to help McKinney-Vento liaisons and other school staff reflect on their own communication styles, race, and how institutional racism impacts students and families. Unaccompanied Youth NYSED Memo: Provision of Educational Services for Recently Arrived Unaccompanied Children and Youth NYSED Field Memo This 2021 Memo from the New York State Education Department outlines important information and resources for Local Education Agencies (LEAs) regarding the rights of and services available to recently arrived unaccompanied children and youth. The memo includes information and guidance about immediate enrollment, free school meals, immunizations, and the English-Language Learner (ELL) identification process for unaccompanied children and youth. Unaccompanied Youth Unaccompanied Youth (Resource Library) This NYSTEACHS.org page is in the Resource Library on this website. It contains many other resources and information about unaccompanied youth. Identification A Guide to Counting Unsheltered Homeless People This guide, published by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)and updated January 2008, describes several methods for identifying, counting, and learning about homeless people outside of shelters or other residential programs within a local homeless assistance network. Transportation Sample Transportation Protocol NYS-TEACHS This Sample Transportation Protocol helps with communication and coordination between school districts and local departments of social services any time the local department of social services is responsible for arranging transportation for a student in temporary housing. This Protocol is a template that school districts and local departments of social services are encouraged to use. School districts and local departments of social services are also welcome to adapt this Protocol to meet their needs. Identification Confirming Eligibility for McKinney-Vento Rights and Services NCHE Brief This issue brief from NCHE provides helpful information on what to do and what not to do when determining if a student is eligible for services under McKinney-Vento. Please note: with the reauthorization of McKinney-Vento under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which went into effect on October 1, 2016, there are stronger privacy protections relating to the confidentiality of address information for students in temporary housing. About the Source NCHE: Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) operates the Department’s technical assistance center for the federal Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) Program. In this role, NCHE works with schools, service providers, parents, and other interested stakeholders to ensure that children and youth experiencing homelessness can enroll and succeed in school. Training for Colleagues National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) Liaison Toolkit This toolkit is intended to assist LEA liaisons by providing information on increasing access to and success in education for children and youth experiencing homelessness. Please note: this resource does not include information on transportation protocols specific to New York State. For more information, please see our page on transportation About the Source Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) operates the Department’s technical assistance center for the federal Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) Program. In this role, NCHE works with schools, service providers, parents, and other interested stakeholders to ensure that children and youth experiencing homelessness can enroll and succeed in school. Unaccompanied Youth Higher Education - schoolhouseconnection.org This page provides comprehensive FAFSA-related resources to help youth, K-12 educators, homeless service providers, and higher education professionals understand, prepare, and fill out the FAFSA. Unaccompanied Youth Understanding FAFSA: The How-To Guide for High School Students The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form you need to fill out to get any financial aid from the federal government to help pay for college. This guide is designed to help students and families navigate the U.S. Department of Education’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to get financial aid for college. The guide will be particularly useful for students who are among the first in their family to go to college or are new to the country. Transportation Transportation This page of the Resource Library on this website contains resources about the McKinney-Vento Act and N.Y. Education Law § 3209 regarding transportation for students in temporary housing. Dispute Resolution Dispute Resolution This page of the Resource Library on this website contains resources for dispute resolution and the appeals process. Referrals for Early Childhood Early Childhood Education This page of the Resource Library on this website contains resources for early childhood education and referrals. Enrollment Enrollment and School Selection This page of the Resource Library contains resources surrounding Enrollment for homeless students. Identification Determining Eligibility for McKinney-Vento This page of the Resource Library contains resources for Liaisons to help identify the eligibility of homeless students. Training for Colleagues Hidden in Plain Site This report examines the growing problem of student homelessness by interviewing and surveying currently and formerly homeless students and the state coordinators and local liaisons assigned to help them. Written by a team of researchers at Civic Enterprises, a public policy and strategy firm, in association with Hart Research Associates, the study was released by America’s Promise Alliance, a leader of the GradNation campaign. Transportation Transportation Guide for Students in Temporary Housing NYS-TEACHS This chart provides concise information on the transportation rights of students in temporary housing attending school in New York State. It includes information on available services, the responsible agency, and funding sources when serving students in many different housing situations, including for students attending charter schools. Dispute Resolution Appeal Sample Evidence This document provides a list of examples of evidence that a parent, legal guardian, or unaccompanied youth may include in an appeal in order to show that the student is homeless under McKinney-Vento. Dispute Resolution Sample District Dispute Resolution Policy New York State Education Department This is a sample policy that school districts may adopt in order to follow the New York State procedure for resolving disputes regarding the McKinney-Vento Act. This resource has been updated to reflect the changes made to the McKinney-Vento dispute resolution process under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) which went into effect on October 1, 2016. Posting Public Notice Posters and Brochures NYS-TEACHS offers FREE brochures and posters with information on the educational rights of children and youth who are homeless. Referrals for Health, Housing, & Other Services Allowable and Unallowable Uses for Title I Homeless Set-Aside Funding New York State Education Department All schools districts are required to set-aside a portion of their Title I, Part A funding for students experiencing homelessness. This document provides information about allowable and unallowable uses for Title I homeless set-aside funding. Referrals for Health, Housing, & Other Services Referral Templates for McKinney-Vento Liaisons NYS-TEACHS McKinney-Vento Liaisons are required to refer students and families to key services and supports. These supports include early education, health and mental health care, housing, and other appropriate supports. Our template referral lists are intended to help you streamline your referral process and/or provide information that may be needed in a sensitive manner. Identification Determining McKinney-Vento Program Eligibility This NCHE brief provides local homeless education liaisons and school districts with recommended steps to take and practices to avoid when seeking to confirm a student's McKinney-Vento eligibility. Referrals to Early Childhood Early Care and Education Services in New York State for Young Children Experiencing Homelessness This guide by the NYS Early Childhood Advisory Council (ECAC) has information for parents, early care and education providers, school district staff, shelter providers, and other social service professionals about early care and education programs. This guide also provides information on determining eligibility for children in temporary housing, and their rights and protections. You can also find a handy chart where community-specific information about early care and education programs can be included and then shared with parents. This document is a fillable PDF, so you can enter information about local programs and services on the chart itself, print it out, and easily share it with parents. Additionally, a link to a fillable Word document version of the chart can be found below. Note: Save the PDF or Word document to your computer before editing. If you modify the document within your browser, you may not be able to save your edits. Posting Public Notice Quick Tip Sheet Series NYS-TEACHS Our Quick Tip Sheets provide detailed information about the rights of students experiencing homelessness in a one-page format. Each guide is targeted to a specific school role. Training for Colleagues Tip Sheet: Navigating Challenging Conversations NYS-TEACHS This tip sheet from NYS-TEACHS guides the user through best practices for having conversations about housing status with families. We provide best practices for common scenarios. Interested in more tip sheets from NYS-TEACHS? See our Quick Tip Sheets series targeted to specific school roles. Enrollment Sample Enrollment Process for Students in Temporary Housing Every Local Educational Agency (LEA) must ensure that students who are experiencing homelessness are immediately enrolled in school. This is a Sample Enrollment Process that school districts may follow for immediately enrolling students experiencing homelessness. Enrollment Enrollment Checklist NYS-TEACHS The McKinney-Vento Enrollment Checklist, developed by NYS-TEACHS, outlines steps McKinney-Vento liaisons should take when enrolling students experiencing homelessness. The checklist includes links to key documents and referrals. Identification STAC-202 Form - Spanish New York State Education Department The STAC-202 form indicates that a student has been designated as homeless, and specifies the name of the district the student will be attending. It is also used by local districts to request reimbursement from NYSED for the costs of education a temporarily housed student who moves into the district from another school district in New York State. In accordance with Federal and State legislation, all personally identifiable information (PII) must be sent to the STAC Unit via one of the following approved modes of transmission: SED File Transfer Manager (FTM): Sign Up for access to SED File Transfer Manager here. Log in here. Fax to (518) 402-5047, with notification to the recipient of when the information will be sent. US Mail 1st Class/Priority, or with another service with tracking (UPS, DHL, or FedEx). Identification STAC-202 Form - English New York State Education Department The STAC-202 form indicates that a student has been designated as homeless, and specifies the name of the district the student will be attending. It is also used by local districts to request reimbursement from NYSED for the costs of education a temporarily housed student who moves into the district from another school district in New York State. In accordance with Federal and State legislation, all personally identifiable information (PII) must be sent to the STAC Unit via one of the following approved modes of transmission: SED File Transfer Manager (FTM): Sign Up for access to SED File Transfer Manager here. Log in here. Fax to (518) 402-5047, with notification to the recipient of when the information will be sent. US Mail 1st Class/Priority, or with another service with tracking (UPS, DHL, or FedEx). Identification McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act, Reauthorized by Title IX, Part A of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act is a federal law that protects the public education of children and youth experiencing homelessness. The text attached here is the latest version of the law since it was reauthorized on December 10, 2015 by Title IX, Part A of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Identification New York State Education Law Section 3209, Education of Homeless Children NYS Education Law Section 3209 describes the rights of students in temporary housing in New York State. Important changes to New York Education Law Section 3209 went into effect on April 20, 2017. The changes to this law reflect changes to the federal McKinney-Vento Act that were made under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Below, along with the link to download the new text of the law, you will find a link to a marked-up version of Education Law § 3209 that highlights the changes. Identification Non-Regulatory Guidance for the Education for Homeless Children and Youths United States Department of Education On March 2, 2017, the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) revised the Non-Regulatory Guidance for the Education for Homeless Children and Youths Program. This revised Non-Regulatory Guidance replaces the July 2016 Guidance and includes new questions and answers on the amendments to the McKinney-Vento Act made by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which took effect on October 1, 2016, and new technical assistance on promising practices for implementing homeless education requirements at the State and local levels. Training for Colleagues McKinney Vento Billing This Field Memo provides information about when a district can directly bill another district for tuition for a student who was homeless and has become permanently housed; and what documentation a district should submit to another district when requesting such reimbursement. Enrollment Enrolling Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness in School This NCHE brief describes common enrollment barriers experienced by students in homeless situations, summarizes the key school enrollment provisions included in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, and suggests strategies for ensuring the immediate school enrollment and full school participation of McKinney-Vento-eligible students. Identification Identifying Children and Youth in Homeless Situations This NCHE brief summarizes the key provisions of Subtitle VII-B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act related to the identification of children and youth experiencing homelessness; and provides an overview of implementation strategies at the state and local levels. Parental Involvement McKinney-Vento Tips for Parents and Guardians This issue brief, from the National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE), provides background on the McKinney-Vento Act and is designed to help school staff members in applying the definition of homelessness under the law to individual children and youth.

View the webinar Supporting Students in Temporary Housing: Liaising Through a Social-Emotional Framework Supporting Students in Temporary Housing: Liaising Through a Social-Emotional Framework This session will utilize the CASEL framework, specifically the CASEL 5 components: Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Responsible Decision-Making, Relationship Skills, and Social Awareness, as the foundation for our discussion. Participants will gain specific, actionable strategies to support the social-emotional needs and growth of students, particularly those experiencing homelessness or living in temporary housing. By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to: Understand the concepts of Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Responsible Decision-Making, Relationship Skills, and Social Awareness and the importance of each in the context of social-emotional learning. Identify strategies to promote these concepts among students in challenging living situations. Explore practical approaches for McKinney Vento Liaisons to effectively implement these strategies. Key Resources PDF of PowerPoint Worksheet Back to Professional Learning

Find resources to help students who are living in temporary housing due to a distaster or emergency here. Disaster and Emergency Response COVID-19 Alert: News and resources related to the COVID-19 pandemic are posted to our News feed. Students who are temporarily displaced due to disaster are protected by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act, a federal law that discusses the public education of students in temporary housing. The definition of homelessness under this Act is broad, and it covers students who are doubling up with friends or family due to loss of housing, as well as students in shelters, vehicles, and other temporary arrangements. Under the McKinney-Vento Act, students in temporary housing are entitled to free transportation back to their school of origin, or they can enroll immediately in the new local school where they are temporarily residing. FAQ for this topic Topic Resources View topic by category: Button Guides & Fact Sheets Helping Families and Schools Recover in the Aftermath of Hurricane Harvey This September 2017 presentation from the U.S. Department of Education, titled “Helping Families and Schools Recover in the Aftermath of Hurricane Harvey,” has important information about how school districts can better help students affected by Hurricane Harvey and other natural disasters, including information about supports for students made homeless by a natural disaster and specific steps school districts can take to help students, families, and schools recover. Guides & Fact Sheets NCHE's Connecting Schools and Displaced Students Handbook Series These printable handbooks relay disaster-related school information to parents, relief agencies, and school districts. Guides & Fact Sheets Quick Tip Sheet Series NYS-TEACHS Our Quick Tip Sheets provide detailed information about the rights of students experiencing homelessness in a one-page format. Each guide is targeted to a specific school role. Guides & Fact Sheets Know Your Rights! Informational Flyers These flyers can be distributed following a natural disaster to help families and youth understand their educational rights. They include space to add local contact information. You may find flyers for New York State or New York City. Laws & Guidance Extreme Weather Events: Hurricane Sandy/Nor'easter and Transportation for Nonpublic, Homeless and Charter School Students New York State Education Department This memo provides information about transportation of students post-Superstorm Sandy, including students attending nonpublic schools. However, please note that transportation protections, privacy protections, and access to pre-school programs, for example, have been exanded under state and federal law since the memo was published. Laws & Guidance Extreme Weather Events in New York State and the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act NYSED Field Memo NYSED’s McKinney-Vento Field Memo #04-2012 (November 2012) describes how and when McKinney-Vento protections apply to students displaced by a disaster. Laws & Guidance Field Advisory: Diploma Options for Puerto Rican Students Displaced by Hurricanes Irma or Maria New York State Education Department NYSED and the Puerto Rico Department of Education (PRDE) have agreed to allow students who were displaced by Hurricane Irma or Maria and subsequently enrolled in a high school in New York State to be offered the opportunity to complete either the New York State diploma requirements or the requirements to earn a diploma from Puerto Rico. This applies to students who had attained 10th, 11th, or 12th grade in Puerto Rico by October 2017. This field memo provides information on the PRDE graduation requirements, the process to request a Puerto Rico high school diploma, and how to code students in SIRS. For more information, contact the Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages at (518) 474-8775. Laws & Guidance Students Displaced by 2017 Hurricanes New York State Education Department This memo provides information and resources for local educational agencies (LEAs), including school districts, charter schools, and BOCES, regarding the rights of and services available to students displaced by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria in 2017. Laws & Guidance Q & A: Information for School Districts Impacted by Severe Weather Events New York State Education Department This memo, last updated in November 2012, answers a number of questions regarding the education of students after a severe weather event. Laws & Guidance Applications for Hurricane and Disaster Relief Funding New York State Education Department This memo provides information about applying for additional funding from two disaster relief programs: Temporary Emergency Impact Aid for Displaced Students and Assistance for Homeless Children and Youth. These programs were announced in early May by the United States Department of Education to support schools that have enrolled students displaced by recent natural disasters. Local Educational Agencies (LEAs), including school districts, charter schools, and BOCES, will be required to complete a survey on the SEDMonitoring platform by June 15, 2018, even if no displaced students have been enrolled. Laws & Guidance Special Education Advisory: School Districts Impacted by Hurricane Sandy and Requests for Flexibility in Special Education Requirements New York State Education Department This November 2012 advisory was issued in response to inquiries about waivers/flexibility for special education requirements in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. The advisory also reviews requirements of LEAs under the McKinney-Vento Act to provide comparable services to enrolling students in temporary housing. Website Supporting Children and Youth Displaced by Disasters: Five Key Policies for Schools SchoolHouse Connection published this brief detailing the five key policies and quick tips for implementation to better support children and youth displaced by disasters. Schools can be a place of stability, normalcy, and support for children and youth who are displaced by disasters. Liaisons also may be able to connect younger siblings with early childhood resources to provide safety, stability and a place to be a child as parents seek to rebuild. Website A McKinney-Vento Toolbox: Constructing a Robust and Rigorous Homeless Education Program, In Case of Disaster and Every Day This toolbox, from the National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE), contains a wealth of information, lessons learned, and resources developed during the recovery process following the 2005 Gulf Coast hurricanes. Website The National Child Traumatic Stress Network The National Child Traumatic Stress Network’s website has a large array or information and resources for parents and teachers including: What you should know about hurricanes and how they impact children and the Teacher Guidelines for Helping Students after a Hurricane Website Free Meals Students in Temporary Housing are categorically eligible for free meals. Website NYSED Disaster Assistance New York State Education Department List of resources for hurricane and other storm damage recovery. Website NCHE's Helping Students Cope Resource Page This page provides a number of resources for working with students who have been affected by natural disaster. Website Supportive Housing Network of New York Supportive housing providers across New York serve tenants in damaged and flooded residences. Below, you’ll find information on how you can make cash donations or donate other goods. You’ll also find details on how you can volunteer or receive assistance from various government agencies. FEMA: If you or your loved ones have been affected by hurricane and are in need of assistance, you can register with FEMA for aid. To do so, call (800) 621-3362 or TTY (800) 462-7585 or register online at www.disasterassistance.gov . Shelter: The Red Cross provides shelter throughout affected areas. Visit their website for a listing www.redcross.org/find-help/shelter or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Additional information about hurricane victim aid and ways everyone can help in the relief effort can be found at: www.fema.gov/new-york-sandy-recovery.

View the webinar Supporting Students Temporary Housing - Title 1 Part A Set Aside Funds Supporting Students in Temporary Housing with Title 1 Part A Set-Aside Funds (Rest of State) Under the McKinney-Vento Act, school districts must remove barriers for students in temporary housing to attend and succeed in school. Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act provides financial assistance to local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools with high numbers or percentages of children from low-income families. The webinar will provide information on the purpose of Title 1 funds and how these funds can be used to support students living in temporary housing. By the end of today’s webinar, participants will be able to: Explain the general principles regarding how to use Title 1 Part A Set-aside funds. Identify allowable and unallowable expenditures using Title 1 funds. Describe how the McKinney-Vento Act and Title 1 programs work together to meet the needs of students in temporary housing. Determine Title 1 Part A Set-aside amount to meet the needs of students in temporary housing. Key Resources PDF of PowerPoint Back to Professional Learning

Find information about the role of the McKinney-Vento Liaison in schools as they assist students experiencing temporary housing. LIAISONS Learn about McKinney-Vento liaisons, their role, and how to contact your local liaison. McKinney-Vento and the Role of the Liaison Explore some of the resources liaisons reference when assisting students in temporary housing. + Read More Find a Homeless Liaison Contact Are you looking for the name of the Homeless Liaison in your school district? + Homeless Liaison Contact List A Systems Thinking Approach Read the New York State System for Homeless Student Support (SHSS) summary, why viewing their role from the “systems thinking” perspective will help liaisons, and how to learn more. + Read More

View the webinar Planning Your LEA Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program McKinney-Vento Act: Supporting Students with Enrollment & School Selection Students experiencing temporary housing are granted educational rights under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. There are key provisions related to school enrollment including enrollment barriers, immediate enrollment, school selection and full participation in school. This webinar will focus on providing information on how to guide the decision of school selection when considering what is in the best interest of the child/youth. By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to: Learn about the key provisions of School Selection and Enrollment as outlined in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Explain school selection options to parents/youth based on the best interest of the student. Acquire strategies to assist in the determination of school selection and the enrollment process. Gain resources to support the work of school selection and enrollment. Key Resources PDF of PowerPoint Anticipation Guide (PDF) School Selection Checklist (PDF) Interview Checklists (PDF) Anticipation Guide Answer Key (PDF) For more resources, visit the Enrollment & School Selection page . Back to Professional Learning

Homeless education resources regarding higher education and postsecondary opportunities for students in temporary housing. Higher Education & Postsecondary Opportunities Higher education is a key to helping students experiencing homelessness escape poverty. There are several programs available through the federal Higher Education Act, such as the TRIO programs, that help students graduate from high school, apply and enroll in college, and complete their degrees. In December 2015, the McKinney-Vento Act was reauthorized as Title IX, Part A of the Every Student Succeeds Act. Under the amendments to McKinney-Vento, liaisons must make sure that unaccompanied homeless youth are informed of their status as independent students for college financial aid and that they get help verifying their status for the FAFSA. 42 U.S.C. § 11432(g)(6)(A)(x)(III). The amendments to McKinney-Vento also require that school districts advise, prepare, and improve the college readiness of students in temporary housing. 42 U.S.C. § 11432(g)(1)(K). FAQs for this topic Topic Resources View topic by category: Laws & Guidance Verification of Postsecondary Financial Aid Form Completion or Waiver New York State Education Department This NYSED Memo details that at the July 2024 Board of Regents meeting, the Board approved as an emergency adoption the amendment of Section 100.2 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education relating to completion of federal and state financial aid applications by seniors enrolled in school districts. Website The FAFSA Simplification Act: Youth Experiencing Homelessness and Youth with Experience in Foster Care The FAFSA Simplification Act (enacted as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 and updated by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021) aims to remove many of the barriers faced by youth experiencing homelessness or with experience in foster care. The new provisions for homeless and foster youth should go into effect for the 2023-2024 award year, and be reflected on the new FAFSA on October 1, 2022. Scholarships SchoolHouse Connection Youth Leadership and Scholarship Program This scholarship program provides scholarships, networking opportunities, and support services to students who have experienced homelessness applying or attending college. Scholarships Scholarship Opportunities Here is a list of resources for college scholarships, fellowships, and other funding opportunities. Scholarships Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans The Horatio Alger Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to students in NYS who have exhibited integrity and perseverance in overcoming personal adversity, including homelessness, and who aspire to pursue higher education. Guides & Fact Sheets Understanding FAFSA: The How-To Guide for High School Students This guide is designed to help students and families navigate the U.S. Department of Education’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to get financial aid for college. The guide will be particularly useful for students who are among the first in their family to go to college, or are new to the country. It is available in English, Spanish, and eight other languages. Guides & Fact Sheets Toolkit for Undocumented Students A Guide for Undocumented Students Going Through the College Matriculation Process From CARA: Undocumented young people have a right to college. This toolkit is for them. The purpose of this resource is to help undocumented students realize their college dreams by presenting new ways to look at the college application process. We also hope educators, counselors, undocufriendly organizations, parent(s)/guardian(s), and young people will use this toolkit to help undocumented students pursue higher education, regardless of their immigration status. About the Source College Access: Research & Action (CARA). CARA’s mission is to ensure that first-generation college students, low-income students, and students of color have the knowledge and support necessary to enroll in and persist through college. Guides & Fact Sheets Tips for Helping Homeless Youth Succeed in College This tip sheet series from SchoolHouse Connection provides important information about helping homeless youth succeed in college. The series highlights best practices for supporting these students, which have been submitted from institutions across the country. The tip sheets are living documents that will be updated regularly to provide new and innovative practices. The series includes: Strategies for Transitioning from High School to College Strategies for Identifying Homeless College Students Strategies for Housing On and Off Campus Strategies for Accessing Financial Aid Strategies for Creating and Sustaining Campus-Based Programs About the Source From SchoolHouse Connection: SchoolHouse Connection is a national organization working to overcome homelessness through education. We provide strategic advocacy and technical assistance in partnership with early childhood programs, schools, institutions of higher education, service providers, families, and youth. We believe education is the only permanent solution to homelessness. Our vision is that children and youth experiencing homelessness have full access to quality learning, birth through higher education, so they will never be homeless as adults, and the next generation will never be homeless. Guides & Fact Sheets Superintendent Determination Option and Safety Net Options for Students with Disabilities New York State Education Department This presentation from NYSED’s Committee of Practitioners details the different safety net options for students with disabilities to graduate with a local diploma, including new information about Superintendent Determinations that went into effect in December 2017 and don’t have a minimum Regents exam score requirement. Guides & Fact Sheets Understanding FAFSA: The How-To Guide for High School Students The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form you need to fill out to get any financial aid from the federal government to help pay for college. This guide is designed to help students and families navigate the U.S. Department of Education’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to get financial aid for college. The guide will be particularly useful for students who are among the first in their family to go to college or are new to the country. About the Source Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) operates the Department’s technical assistance center for the federal Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) Program. In this role, NCHE works with schools, service providers, parents, and other interested stakeholders to ensure that children and youth experiencing homelessness can enroll and succeed in school. Guides & Fact Sheets Increasing Access to Higher Education for Unaccompanied Youth NCHE Brief This NCHE brief includes a summary of education legislation prior to 2012 that gives unaccompanied homeless youth access to educational supports and provides examples of practices that high schools, colleges, and universities have used to assist these students in succeeding. Please note: this guidance does not include changes made by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) which added new protections for students in temporary housing. Guides & Fact Sheets College Guide Published by the U.S. Department of Education, this new guide provides information and resources on applying to, paying for, and succeeding in college. It was written specifically for youth who are or were ever homeless, or are at risk of experiencing homelessness. Guides & Fact Sheets Applying for TAP as an Independent Student The New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) is a grant program for NYS residents who are full-time undergraduate students and are enrolled in an eligible program within the state. Annual awards range from $500 to $5,000. See Student Status section of this FAQs page. Guides & Fact Sheets Application and Verification Guide to the FAFSA United States Department of Education The U.S. Department of Education’s “Application and Verification Guide” (AVG) provides instructions and guidance for filling out the FAFSA form for financial aid. Website ACT Fee Waivers ACT Fee Waivers: The ACT webpage describes the steps that economically disadvantaged high school juniors or seniors should follow to receive a fee waiver for taking the ACT college entrance exam. Website SAT Fee Waivers SAT Fee Waivers: The College Board webpage linked below explains how a high school junior and senior can receive a fee-waiver in order to take the SAT college entrance exam or SAT subject tests. It also discusses how a college-bound student can receive waivers for college application fees. Website SchoolHouse Connection (SHC) Higher Education Resources for Students Experiencing Homelessness SchoolHouse Connection (SHC) has webpages with a variety of resources and links regarding students in temporary housing who wish to pursue post-secondary education. Website The National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) Higher Education Resources for Students Experiencing Homelessness The National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) has webpages with a variety of resources and links regarding students in temporary housing who wish to pursue post-secondary education. Website Financial Aid Toolkit United States Department of Education This Toolkit from the U.S. Department of Education provides federal student aid information and outreach tools for counselors, college access professionals, nonprofit mentors, and other advisors. Guides & Fact Sheets National Center for Homeless Education’s Education Goals and Supports: A Guided Discussion Tool National Center for Homeless Education’s Education Goals and Supports: A Guided Discussion Tool About the Source Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) operates the Department’s technical assistance center for the federal Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) Program. In this role, NCHE works with schools, service providers, parents, and other interested stakeholders to ensure that children and youth experiencing homelessness can enroll and succeed in school. Forms & Templates Supporting College Access Checklist NYS-TEACHS This checklist includes strategies McKinney-Vento liaisons and school districts can use to ensure that youth experiencing homelessness have access to college access services and other supports to help ensure that they are ready for post-secondary opportunities. Forms & Templates Homeless Unaccompanied Youth Verification Form for the Purposes of Federal Financial Aid This template form from SchoolHouse Connection can be used by LEA liaisons, HUD-funded shelter staff, and RHYA shelter staff for verifying a student’s status as an unaccompanied homeless youth for the FAFSA. About the Source From SchoolHouse Connection: SchoolHouse Connection is a national organization working to overcome homelessness through education. We provide strategic advocacy and technical assistance in partnership with early childhood programs, schools, institutions of higher education, service providers, families, and youth. We believe education is the only permanent solution to homelessness. Our vision is that children and youth experiencing homelessness have full access to quality learning, birth through higher education, so they will never be homeless as adults, and the next generation will never be homeless. Laws & Guidance Dear Colleague Letter on Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Determinations United States Department of Education This July 29, 2015, Dear Colleague letter from the U.S. Department of Education provides guidance for financial aid administrators on the definition of homelessness, how to make determinations, and how to document students’ status. It revises the prior policy so that all applicants under age 24, including those who are 22 or 23 years old, are unaccompanied and experiencing homelessness, or are self-supporting and at risk of being homeless, qualify for a homeless youth determination and will be considered independent students. Laws & Guidance College Counseling and Access for Youth Experiencing Homelessness NYSED Field Memo NYSED’s McKinney-Vento Field Memo #03-2018 (April 2018) outlines the responsibilities of Local Educational Agencies (LEAs, including school districts, charter schools, and BOCES) to support students in temporary housing in pursuing college or other post-secondary opportunities. The memo identifies best practices and provides helpful resources LEAs can use to satisfy these responsibilities.

Question and Answer Documents for webinars Q&A Documents View topic by category: Back to School Back to School with McKinney-Vento Q&A This question and answer document will cover the McKinney-Vento homeless Assistance Act with a focus on identification and enrollment, and learn about the various ways you will be supported in your work this year. August 3, 2022 at 12:00:00 PM Enrollment & School Selection Enrollment and School Selection Webinar Q&A This question and answer document provides information on how to guide the decision of school selection when considering what is in the best interest of the child/youth. August 17, 2022 at 10:30:00 AM Identification and Eligibility Identification and Eligibility Q&A This question and answer document provides information on identification and eligibility. August 10, 2022 at 12:30:00 PM MV Liaisons Role & Responsibilities MV Liaison Role & Responsibilities Q&A This question and answer document provides information for MV Liaison Role & Responsibilities. September 27, 2023 at 1:30:00 PM Students with Disabilities Meeting the Needs of Students with Disabilities Living in Temporary Housing Q&A This question and answer document provides information on meeting the needs of students with disabilities living in temporary housing April 8, 2024 at 12:30:00 PM STAC-202 STAC Reimbursement for Students in Temporary Housing - 2024 Q&A Documents on The STAC Process Webinar Provided by the NYS STAC Office November 20, 2024 at 12:00:00 PM STAC-202 STAC-202 Process Q&A NYSED STAC/ Medicaid Unit - 2022 This question and answer document provides information on the STAC 202 policy. Opportunities will be provided to determine whether an LEA should apply for tuition reimbursement or direct bill another school district for the cost of educating a student in temporary housing. January 15, 2022 at 2:15:00 PM STAC-202 STAC-202 Process Q&A NYSED STAC/ Medicaid Unit - 2023 The NYSED STAC/Medicaid Unit question and answer document is designed to assist districts in processing requests for reimbursement for homeless placements. January 26, 2023 at 12:00:00 PM STAC-202 STAC-202 Process Q&A NYSED STAC/ Medicaid Unit - 2024 The NYSED STAC/Medicaid Unit question and answer document is designed to assist districts in processing requests for reimbursement for homeless placements. January 31, 2024 at 6:00:00 PM Post-Secondary Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness and Post-Secondary Education Q&A This question and answer document will discuss barriers and provide strategies for helping youth experiencing homelessness prepare for and transition to post-secondary education, with particular emphasis on college preparation. September 21, 2022 at 10:45:00 AM Early Childhood Supporting Young Children Experiencing Homelessness Q&A This question and answer document will focus on how the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act applies to young children, specifically preschoolers who experience homelessness. September 14, 2022 at 11:15:00 AM Transportation The Role of Transportation to Support Students in Temporary Housing Q&A This question and answer document provides information on the role of transportation to support students in temporary housing. . August 24, 2022 at 8:15:00 AM

View the webinar Supporting Students in Temporary Housing-Identification & Eligibility Supporting Students in Temporary Housing-Identification & Eligibility 2025-2026 Homelessness creates significant educational barriers for children and youth. Students experiencing temporary housing lack basic resources that impact their ability to attend and succeed in school. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act provides the necessary benefits and supports to overcome educational barriers. This webinar will support McKinney-Vento Liaisons in the identification of students experiencing homelessness and in the determination of eligibility for services By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to: Identify possible risk factors/causes of homelessness. Gain knowledge of strategies for the identification of students experiencing temporary homelessness. Determine eligibility benefits based on the provisions of the McKinney-Vento Act. Receive resources to support the identification and eligibility of students experiencing homelessness. Key Resources PDF of PowerPoint For more resources, visit the Determining Eligibility For McKinney-Vento . Back to Professional Learning