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An introduction of homelessness and education under the McKinney-Vento Act. HOMELESSNESS & EDUCATION Education is the most important long-term prevention strategy when addressing child and youth homelessness. Recent national research from Chapin Hall found that without a high school diploma or GED, the likelihood of experiencing homelessness increased by 4.5 times, ultimately making this the top risk factor for young adult homelessness. Supporting Students in Temporary Housing The McKinney-Vento Act provides rights and services to homeless children and youth including those who are sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations. + Learn More Homeless Students The McKinney-Vento Act defines homeless children and youth as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. + Learn More Role of the School School staff work in conjunction with the district-level liaison on behalf of the best interest of homeless children and youth. Students may be identified as eligible for McKinney-Vento designation by school staff and receive services and resources that they are eligible for, such as tutoring or mental health counseling, at the school level. + Learn More Unaccompanied Youth An unaccompanied youth is a homeless child or youth not in the physical custody of their parent or guardian; this includes youth who ran away from home, have been forced from the home by their families , and youth forced to leave their families when the family becomes homeless. + Learn More

View the webinar "The 2022-2025 McKinney-Vento Grant Coseout Meeting" The 2019-2022 McKinney-Vento Grant Closeout Meeting Key Resources PDF of PowerPoint CSPR Data worksheet PDF of PowerPoint Back to Professional Learning

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Homeless education resources on enrollment and school selection Dispute Resolution/Appeals Process If a family or student in temporary housing and their school district disagree about a student's McKinney-Vento eligibility for enrollment, school selection options, or transportation, the school district may challenge the student's eligibility under McKinney-Vento. To do so, the school district must: Provide written notice to the student or family about the reasons for their disagreement; Provide complete information in writing about the right to appeal to the family or youth; Put the family or youth in touch with the McKinney-Vento liaison for assistance; Provide immediate enrollment and transportation while the appeal is pending and until all available appeals are final. McKinney-Vento disputes and appeals are reviewed and decided by the New York State Education Department. Internal school district dispute and appeal processes cannot be used to exclude a student in temporary housing from school or discontinue the student's McKinney-Vento protections. FAQs for this topic Topic Resources Laws & Guidance LEA Requirements for Implementing McKinney-Vento Homeless Student Dispute Resolution Process NYSED Field Memo 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. At the initiation of any dispute under this process, the LEA must immediately enroll the child in the school for which enrollment is sought, pending resolution of the dispute, including all available appeals. Featured Resource View topic by category: Guides & Fact Sheets 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. Website Appeals to the Commissioner Involving Homeless Children and Youth New York State Education Department The New York State Education Department Office of Counsel’s website has instructions and sample forms for McKinney-Vento appeals. School districts must continue enrollment and transportation until the Commissioner gives a final decision on any McKinney-Vento related appeal. The appeal form, also called the Form Notice of Petition, can be found in English, Spanish, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, and Haitian Creole. The form should be completed by the parent/guardian or unaccompanied youth (with help from the liaison) any time that the parent/guardian or youth wants to challenge a school district’s denial of enrollment and/or transportation under the McKinney-Vento Act. Forms & Templates Dispute 310 Appeal Form of Petition – NEW Form If a family or student in temporary housing and their school district disagree about a student's McKinney-Vento eligibility for enrollment, school selection options, or transportation, the school district may challenge the student's eligibility under McKinney-Vento through the Dispute Resolution 310 process. When a dispute arises, McKinney-Vento liaisons must help the parent or youth appeal to the Commissioner of Education using this form. Forms for Filing an Appeal to the Commissioner Involving Homeless Children and Youth | Office of Counsel (nysed.gov) - https://www.counsel.nysed.gov/appeals/homelessForms Forms & Templates Form for Affidavit of Acceptance of Personal Service by Local Educational Liaison for Homeless Children and Youth New York State Education Department This form should be completed by the LEA liaison or the person who has been designated by the board of education to accept service on behalf of the school district. This form affirms that the individual who completed the form has accepted the petition on behalf of the named respondents in the school district. Forms & Templates Form for Affidavit of Service by Mail by Local Educational Agency Liaison for Homeless Children and Youth This form should be completed by the McKinney-Vento liaison to verify that the individual has been provided with the petition and that the liaison is mailing it to the school district employee who has been designated to accept service on behalf of the school district. Forms & Templates Form for Verification of Receipt and Transmittal of Petition and Materials by Local Educational Agency Liaison New York State Education Department This form should be completed by the LEA liaison and given to the parent, guardian, or unaccompanied youth to verify that the liaison has received the petition and will mail it to the Office of Counsel of the New York State Education Department. Laws & Guidance LEA Requirements for Implementing McKinney-Vento Homeless Student Dispute Resolution Process NYSED Field Memo 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. At the initiation of any dispute under this process, the LEA must immediately enroll the child in the school for which enrollment is sought, pending resolution of the dispute, including all available appeals. Guides & Fact Sheets List of Legal Services Providers NYS-TEACHS is a technical assistance center and cannot offer legal advice. You may contact the following agencies for legal advice and/or assistance related to the McKinney Vento dispute process. Please note, this list is not exhaustive, and there may be other providers who will also offer legal advice on these issues. Laws & Guidance 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). Forms & Templates Sample District Decision Letter New York State Education Department A McKinney-Vento District Decision Letter must be sent by the district when there is a dispute regarding a student’s eligibility under 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. Guides & Fact Sheets 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. Forms & Templates Template End-of-Year Letter NYS-TEACHS Districts are encouraged to check in with parents whose children are McKinney-Vento eligible (or youth themselves in the case of unaccompanied homeless youth) at the end of each school year to determine whether their housing situation has changed and make appropriate arrangements for the next school year if there has been a change. This template letter can be used to reach out to families for this purpose. Guides & Fact Sheets 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.

Frequently Asked Questions Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Top of Page Charter Schools Data & Statistics on Homelessness Determining Eligibility for McKinney-Vento Disaster & Emergency Response Dispute Resolution/Appeal Process Early Childhood Education Enrollment & School Selection Foster Care Free Meals Higher Education & Postsecondary Opportunities Immigrant Students Immunizations McKinney-Vento Grant Program McKinney-Vento Liaisons Privacy of Student Records Special Education STAC-202 Summer School Title I Transportation Unaccompanied Youth Are charter schools considered school districts? No, charter schools are not school districts. However, a charter school is a public school by statute, and it is considered to be a Local Educational Agency (LEA) for the purposes of the McKinney-Vento Act. 42 U.S.C. § 11434a(3); 20 U.S.C § 7801(30)(A). Do students attend charter schools tuition-free? Yes. Is a charter school required to designate a McKinney-Vento liaison? Yes. Because charter schools are considered Local Education Agencies (LEAs) under the McKinney-Vento Act, all charter schools must comply with the McKinney-Vento Act, including the requirement to designate a McKinney-Vento liaison. 42 U.S.C. § 11432(g)(1)(J)(ii). Is a student in temporary housing entitled to immediate enrollment in a charter school? Yes, if the student meets the eligibility criteria for the charter school and there is space in the school. Students in temporary housing must be enrolled in school, even if they have missed application or enrollment deadlines during any period of homelessness. 42 U.S.C. § 11432(g)(3)(C)(i)(II). Are charter schools required to set aside a portion of their Title I, Part A funding to serve students who are homeless?" Yes. Charter schools are considered Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) and beginning in the 2017-2018 school year, all LEAs that receive Title I funding are required to set aside a portion of those funds for students in temporary housing. 20 U.S.C. §6313 (c)(3)(A)(i)& (c)(3)(C). For more information about Title I, Part A set-asides click here.(undefined) Who provides transportation to students in temporary housing attending a charter school? In most cases, the school district of origin will be responsible for providing transportation for students in temporary housing if the student attended the charter school prior to becoming homeless. N.Y. Education Law § 3209(2)(h). The Local Department of Social Services (LDSS) may be responsible for transporting the student if DSS placed the student in temporary housing and the student’s family is eligible for Emergency Assistance for Families (EAF). N.Y. Education Law § 3209(4)(a). If the student’s new local school district transports students to and from the charter school, the student also has the option to transfer to the new local school district and receive transportation. For more information, please call the NYS-TEACHS hotline at 800-388-2014 or see the Short Guide to Transportation for Students in Temporary Housing Attending Charter Schools.(undefined) Are charter schools eligible to receive McKinney-Vento sub-grant funding? Yes, charter schools are considered Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) and are eligible to receive McKinney-Vento sub-grant funding. BACK TO TOP

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. Quick Tip Sheet Series 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. Topic Resources View topic by category: Guides & Fact Sheets Navigating Challenging Conversations 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. Guides & Fact Sheets Recomendaciones Para Padres y Tutores Si reside en una vivienda temporal, USTED TIENE DERECHOS con respecto a la educación de sus hijos en conformidad con la Ley de educación McKinney-Vento de asistencia a personas sin hogar. Guides & Fact Sheets Tip Sheet: Information Sharing and Student Privacy NYS-TEACHS This tip sheet from NYS-TEACHS provides information about when it is appropriate to share a student’s housing information with school/district staff. It also provides tips for “how” to share that information while still respecting the student’s privacy. Guides & Fact Sheets Tips for Parents and Guardians Read some tips and techniques to help parent and guardians living in temporary housing, YOU HAVE RIGHTS regarding the education of your children under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act. Guides & Fact Sheets Tips for School Nurses School nurses often have one-on-one relationships with students and may see signs of homelessness before others. Read some tips and techniques to help in connect students to specific supports under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act. Guides & Fact Sheets Tips for School Secretaries and Enrollment Personnel Read some tips and techniques for school secretaries and enrollment personnel to help students in temporary housing and their families feel safe and supported by taking immediate action in accordance with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act. Guides & Fact Sheets Tips for School and District Leadership Read some tips and techniques that school and district leaders must keep in mind to create a positive school climate that is safe, supportive, and trauma-sensitive. Guides & Fact Sheets Tips for Social Workers and School Counselors Read some tips and techniques for School Social Workers and Guidance Counselors to help create a safe and supportive environment for students in temporary housing and their families . Guides & Fact Sheets Tips for Teachers Read some tips and techniques for teachers that help create a classroom environment that is safe and supportive for students in temporary housing including sensitivity to the stress and trauma that often accompanies homelessness. Guides & Fact Sheets Tips for Transportation Directors Read some tips and techniques for transportation staff including directors, dispatchers, and drivers can contribute to the success of students in temporary housing by ensuring school stability and student confidence.

Data Collection and Reporting (Rest of State) Data Collection and Reporting (Rest of State) Presented in Collaboration w/ the Office of Information and Reporting Services Under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, local liaisons are required to identify students experiencing homelessness. Collecting data on students in temporary housing provides an opportunity for district liaisons to assess their implementation of the McKinney-Vento Act. Data also provides critical information that can be used to assess the educational development of students experiencing homelessness and design interventions that support learning to ensure academic success. 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. (Please invite your District’s Data Coordinator to participate in this webinar with you.) By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to: Identify the importance of collecting data and types of data sources for students in temporary housing. Describe the role of the Office of Information and Reporting Services in the collection of data on students in temporary housing. Summarize the data collection and reporting process as it relates to student in temporary housing. Key Resources PDF of PowerPoint Back to Professional Learning

View the webinar about Trauma Informed Family Engagement Navigating the Dispute Process School districts may have situations when parents, guardians and unaccompanied homeless youth have disagreements over eligibility, school selection, enrollment or request for transportation. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act provides a provision, the dispute resolution process, to resolve these types of disagreements. As a McKinney-Vento liaison, it is important to be prepared to assist families and follow the steps in the dispute process. Participants will be able to: Identify the LEA and McKinney-Vento Liaison’s responsibilities in the dispute process, Describe the steps of the dispute process, including the required documentation and timeline. Apply knowledge to sample dispute resolution scenarios. Assist families with helpful tips, including how to avoid a dispute. Utilize resources for navigating the process. Key Resources PDF of PowerPoint For more resources, visit the Dispute Resolution page . Back to Professional Learning

View the webinar Becoming Trauma Informed to Support Students Experiencing Homelessness, Parts 1, 2, & 3. Becoming Trauma Informed to Support Students Experiencing Homelessness This three-part series is an introduction to becoming trauma informed. It is recommended that you attend all three sessions as each session connects to the information in the prior session. At the conclusion of this three-part series, participants will be able to: Describe the types of traumas and the impact on the brain and behavior. Identify strategies to create safe and supportive school environments in your role as a McKinney-Vento liaison. Apply knowledge and strategies for self-care and coping with secondary traumatic stress. 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. Key terms, including stress, chronic stress, and trauma will be explained to develop a common language and understanding. Opportunities will be provided to explore the types of trauma and examples of trauma and chronic stressors. will be explored. Session 2: Practices and Strategies for Safety and Support This session will provide an overview of the principles of trauma-sensitive or -informed care. Opportunities will be provided to explore strategies to create safe and supportive environments that account for brain functioning under stress or trauma. Participants will reflect on how these strategies and practices can apply to their work in the liaison role. 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. Opportunities will be provided to engage in discussion on the types of risks and stressors encountered in working with families and students experiencing homelessness and strategies to identify and cope with these challenges. Participants will then connect and share their own support and self-care strategies followed by an overview of the supports and services provided by NYS TEACHS. Session 1 Session 1: Understanding Trauma Key Resources PDF of PowerPoint Back to Professional Learning Session 2: Practices & Strategies for Safety and Support Key Resources PDF of PowerPoint Back to Professional Learning Session 2 Session 3: Self-Care and Coping with Secondary Traumatic Stress Session 3 Key Resources PDF of PowerPoint Back to Professional Learning

Homeless education resources on enrollment and school selection Domestic Violence Topic Resources View topic by category: Guides & Fact Sheets Domestic Violence, Homelessness, and Children's Education Issue Brief This NCHE brief discusses the effects of domestic violence on children and their education, the connection between domestic violence and homelessness, and federal legislative responses that help ensure stable and safe school experiences for children. Website New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence Hotline The NYS Coalition Against Domestic Violence is an organization working to end domestic violence. Assistance is available in English at 800-942-6906 and Spanish at 800-942-6908. Assistance for the deaf is available by calling the TTY line at 800-818-0656 for English and at 800-780-7660 for Spanish. Website National Domestic Violence Helpline The National Domestic Violence Helpline provides survivors of domestic violence with help via a 24-hour toll-free hotline. Assistance is available in English and other languages at 800-799-7233. Assistance for the deaf is available by calling the TTY line at 800-787-3224. Website New York City Domestic Violence Hotline Assistance is available at 800-621-4673. Assistance for the deaf is available by calling the TDD line at 866-604-5350. Website Safe Horizon Safe Horizon is the largest provider of domestic violence services in the country. Collaborating with the criminal justice system, Safe Horizon offers programs that support women throughout the process of leaving violent relationships. Website Runaway and Homeless Youth and Relationship Violence Toolkit This Toolkit was developed by and for advocates in the runaway and homeless youth (RHY) and domestic and sexual assault (DV/SA) fields to help programs better address relationship violence with runaway and homeless youth. Forms & Templates NYC Risk Questionnaire, Safety Plan, and Shelter Residency Letter These resources can help ensure the safety of students impacted by domestic violence. They were designed for use in NYC but can be modified for use in any NYS school district. The School Selection Risk Assessment Questionnaire includes questions that parents should consider when deciding whether to keep their child in the same school or transfer schools. DV providers are encouraged to review the questions with parents. The School-Based Safety Plan should be completed by school-based staff and the parent. It includes information about who should have contact with the student and who should not, and what steps should be taken if the abuser comes to the school. The Template Shelter Residency Letter can be used by DV residential providers (i.e. DV shelter providers) to give to parents to alert schools to the change in housing status and address, the need to take special precautions to ensure the safety of the student and their family, and any request for 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.

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 2025-26 School Year NYSED Field Memo 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, 2026, to comply with the federal training requirement. 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 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. 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. 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. 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 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. 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. 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. Identification Determining Eligibility for McKinney-Vento This page of the Resource Library contains resources for Liaisons to help identify the eligibility of homeless students. 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. Dispute Resolution Dispute Resolution This page of the Resource Library on this website contains resources for dispute resolution and the appeals process. 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. 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 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. 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. Enrollment Enrollment and School Selection This page of the Resource Library contains resources surrounding Enrollment for 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. 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. Identification Housing Questionnaire (English) The Housing Questionnaire should be used by all school districts as the first page of the enrollment packet for all newly enrolling students. The Housing Questionnaire should also be given to all students/families any time they report a change of address. The New York State Education Department (NYSED) requires all LEAs that receive Title I funds (including school districts, charter schools, and BOCES) to use the Housing Questionnaire. NYSED also encourages all other LEAs to use the Housing Questionnaire because it asks about students’ living arrangements in order to identify students experiencing homelessness in the school district. Identification Housing Questionnaire (Spanish) The Housing Questionnaire should be used by all school districts as the first page of the enrollment packet for all newly enrolling students. The Housing Questionnaire should also be given to all students/families any time they report a change of address. The New York State Education Department (NYSED) requires all LEAs that receive Title I funds (including school districts, charter schools, and BOCES) to use the Housing Questionnaire. NYSED also encourages all other LEAs to use the Housing Questionnaire because it asks about students’ living arrangements in order to identify students experiencing homelessness in the school district. 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. Training for Colleagues Mandatory McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act Training for the 2025-26 School Year Memo 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, 2026, to comply with the federal training requirement. 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. 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). 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 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). 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

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 2025-26 School Year August 26, 2025 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, 2026, to comply with the federal training requirement. 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. McKinney-Vento Liaisons Mandatory McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act Training for the 2024-25 School Year August 23, 2024 Under the federal McKinney-Vento Act, as reauthorized by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), McKinney-Vento liaisons are required to participate in 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, 2025, to comply with the federal training requirement. 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)). McKinney-Vento Liaisons Mandatory McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Training June 29, 2023 NYSED Field Memo NYSED’s McKinney-Vento Field Memo provides information regarding required training for McKinney-Vento liaisons to participate in professional development so that they can better identify and meet the needs of children and youth experiencing homelessness under the federal McKinney-Vento Act. Federal law also requires that McKinney-Vento liaisons ensure that local educational agency (LEA) personnel providing McKinney-Vento services (e.g., superintendents, registrars, transportation directors, CSE chairs, school counselors, school social workers, principals, Title I directors, teachers) receive professional development. Liaisons can do this by either providing the training to staff themselves or by ensuring that LEA staff participate in one of the trainings offered by NYS-TEACHS. 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.