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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 in Temporary Housing with Title 1 Set-Aside Funds in New York City Supporting Students in Temporary Housing with Title 1 Part A Set-Aside Funds in New York City 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 STH Title 1 funds. Identify allowable and unallowable expenditures using Title 1 funds. Assess the needs of your STH student population to align with the spending of Title 1 funds. Describe how the McKinney-Vento Act and STH Title 1 programs work together to meet the needs of students in temporary housing. Learn about the allocation of STH Title 1 funds allotted to each school. Key Resources PDF of PowerPoint Back to Professional Learning

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

COVID-19 Resource List COVID-19 Resource List Published: 03/23/20 Last Updated: 05/12/20 Jump to: Latest News | Liaison Resources | Resources for Families The COVID-19 pandemic is drastically affecting families and students experiencing homelessness. Without the safety and stability schools often provide for these children and youth, it is important now more than ever to provide support and resources to ensure students’ well-being. Below are resources and news to help McKinney-Vento liaisons and others better support students experiencing homelessness. Make sure to check back here for continuous updates on the COVID-19 pandemic as it related to student homelessness. Latest News on School & COVID-19 New York State Education Department (NYSED) – Coronavirus Guidance US Department of Education – COVID-19 Information and Resources National Center on Homeless Education – COVID-19 Information New York City Department of Education – Coronavirus Communications Resources for McKinney-Vento Liaisons/ COVID-19 & Student Homelessness SchoolHouse Connection Brief – COVID-19 and Homelessness: Strategies for Schools, Early Learning Programs, and Higher Education Institutions Check out the Checklist for Local Education Agencies and Early Childhood Providers Joint Guidance from the Juvenile Law Center, The Hope Center, and SchoolHouse Connection – Beyond the Food Pantry: COVID-19 Response for Students Who are Homeless or With Experience in Foster Care SchoolHouse Connection: Five Strategies to Help Homeless Youth Transition to College During COVID-19 Resources for Families Remote School – Resources and Supports for Connecting with District Remote Learning Programs: Please Note: Title I, Part A set-asides and McKinney-Vento grant funding can be used to pay for devices and/or wi-fi hot spots if they are not otherwise available for students in temporary housing. Directory of Providers Offering Free Wi-Fi or Special Accommodations New York City public school students may fill out a remote learning device request form to borrow internet-enabled iPads to support remote learning. Food Resources: Grab-And-Go School Meals (NYSED) Find a Local Food Pantry in NYS New York City Food Bank NYC is giving out free meals, groceries and SNAP support all over New York City. Find food help in Spanish : Check out an interactive map in Spanish of “comida gratis” (free food) around New York City. NYC Food Hub : The Covid-19 food hub for NYC is continuously gathering information about free groceries and meals around the city as well as about financial help for restaurant workers. Invisible Hands : Volunteers across the city are delivering groceries, medication and other necessities to elderly and otherwise at-risk residents for free. Physical & Mental Health Resources: Guide to Helping Families Cope with Coronavirus (The National Child Traumatic Stress Network) Talking to Children About COVID-19 (National Association of School Psychologists) Healthy & Ready to Learn: COVID-19 MENTOR’s Tips for maintaining connection with young people during a time of social distancing NYC Department of Education’s Physical Education & Activity and Health Education Check out Teens Take On COVID , the NYC Administration for Children’s Services’ page which connects teens and youth with resources related to education, physical and mental health services, LGBTQIA services, bullying, and housing. Find mental health support through the New York State Office of Mental (OMH) Health Program Directory or by calling the OMH Emotional Support Line (1-844-863-9314) . In NYC, contact NYC-Well (1-888-692-9355) to connect with someone who will listen and help 24/7. Latest News Resorces for MV Resources for Families

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

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. McKinney-Vento Summer School Information During the 2025-2026 school year, Local Education Agencies (LEAs) have provided a wide variety of supports to students experiencing homelessness, including those students made homeless by international conflict or economic instability. As LEAs begin to plan summer programming, they should continue to consider the needs of these students, who regularly face extraordinary academic and social emotional challenges. This memo outlines the required actions under the McKinney-Vento Act that LEAs must take to support students experiencing homelessness during the summer break. Additionally, it provides suggested strategies for LEAs to fulfill the requirements described. 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. Tale from the Field: Residency Status versus Temporary Housing Determinations 5 days ago 4 min read Tale from the Field: School Selection Rights and a Brief Overnight Stay Jun 1 4 min read Tale from the Field: Providing Professional Learning to Colleagues May 5 2 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!

These printable handbooks relay disaster-related school information to parents, relief agencies, and school districts. NCHE's Connecting Schools and Displaced Students Handbook Series These printable handbooks relay disaster-related school information to parents, relief agencies, and school districts. After the Storm: Information for Parents on How Schools Can Help After Disasters A Parent Handbook From the School Office to the Classroom: Strategies for Enrolling and Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness A Liaison, Enrollment Staff & School District Administrators Handbook Disaster Relief Agencies and Schools: Working Together to Ensure School Enrollment and Success A Liaison & State Coordinator Handbook The School as a Safety Net: Connecting Displaced Children With Education and Support Services A Relief Agency Staff & Volunteer Handbook Back to Disaster & Emergency Response

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

Charter Schools Charter schools, like school districts, must appoint a McKinney-Vento liaison to identify students in temporary housing, help them enroll in school, and arrange for transportation and other needed services. Charter schools should also distribute a Housing Questionnaire to all enrolling students and students who change addresses to ask them about their housing status. All LEAs that receive Title I, Part A funds, including charter schools, are required to do so. FAQ for this topic Topic Resources View topic by category: Data Students Identified as Homeless 2009-2010 This spreadsheet contains data on the number of students who experienced homelessness in New York State at any point in the indicated school year. Data Students Identified as Homeless 2016-17 This spreadsheet contains data on the number of students who experienced homelessness in New York State at any point in the indicated school year. Data Students Identified as Homeless 2011-2012 This spreadsheet contains data on the number of students who experienced homelessness in New York State at any point in the indicated school year. Data Students Identified as Homeless 2010-2011 This spreadsheet contains data on the number of students who experienced homelessness in New York State at any point in the indicated school year. Data Students Identified as Homeless 2012-2013 This spreadsheet contains data on the number of students who experienced homelessness in New York State at any point in the indicated school year. Data Students Identified as Homeless 2014-2015 This spreadsheet contains data on the number of students who experienced homelessness in New York State at any point in the indicated school year. Data Students Identified as Homeless 2013-2014 This spreadsheet contains data on the number of students who experienced homelessness in New York State at any point in the indicated school year. Data Students Identified as Homeless 2015-16 This spreadsheet contains data on the number of students who experienced homelessness in New York State at any point in the indicated school year. Data Students Identified as Homeless 2017-18 This spreadsheet contains data on the number of students who experienced homelessness in New York State at any point in the indicated school year. Data Students Identified as Homeless 2019-20 This spreadsheet contains data on the number of students who experienced homelessness in New York State at any point in the indicated school year. Guides & Fact Sheets Transportation for Students in Temporary Housing in New York State This chart provides concise information on the transportation rights of students in temporary housing attending school in New York State. Laws & Guidance Charter School Guidance Q&A 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. Laws & Guidance New York City Charter Schools and Community School District Preference for Homeless Students 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. Laws & Guidance McKinney-Vento Field Memo #03-2010 A (October 2010) Follow Up NYSED Field Memo: 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.

Homeless education resources regarding free meals for homeless students. Free Meals All students need good nutrition in order to learn. Students in temporary housing are always eligible to receive free meals. This is called "Categorical Eligibility." FAQs for this topic Topic Resources View topic by category: Laws & Guidance Effective Date of Free or Reduced Price Meal Eligibility Determinations The Food and Nutrition Service issued this memo (USDA Memo SP 11-2014) on December 3, 2013, to explain how school districts can pinpoint the date on which a student is eligible for free school meals. Local Educational Agencies (including school districts, BOCES, and charter schools) are allowed to use the date when a family turns in their school meal application as the effective date of eligibility, rather than the date a school official approves the application. This also gives school districts flexibility when schools are waiting for documentation of categorical eligibility (e.g., for homeless or migrant children) indicated on household applications. This policy makes it easier for low-income children to get free meals by allowing access to free or reduced-price meals during the eligibility determination period. It also could assist Local Educational Agencies that are experiencing challenges with unpaid debt. Laws & Guidance Eligibility Effective Date for Directly Certified Students This June 2014 memo (USDA Memo SP 51-2014) explains that the date of eligibility for free school meal or milk benefits for students in temporary housing can be the date on which documentation of eligibility is received. It also clarifies that LEAs may refund any money paid by the student or forgive any debt for meals or milk, starting from the free meal eligibility effective date through the date the direct certification is actually implemented at the school. Website Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) is a national organization with information about free school meals, SNAP, and other nutrition support programs for low-income families and children. Forms & Templates Free and Reduced Price School Meals Prototype Application To help students in temporary housing get free school meals, the McKinney-Vento liaison can submit a letter to the Food Services director as discussed in the Free Meals FAQ (see link at the top of this page), or the school district liaison can fill out the Free and Reduced Price School Meals Application on behalf of the family. A sample application form and materials from the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service can be found on the USDA website, linked below. Laws & Guidance Guidance on Categorical Eligibility for School Nutrition Programs This guidance memo from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) makes it clear that many students have “categorical eligibility” for free meals, including homeless, migrant, and runaway children and youth. The memo also provides instructions for documenting the eligibility of homeless children and youth who are served under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Website Hunger Solutions New York Hunger Solutions New York, formerly the Nutrition Consortium of New York State, has useful links and information about emergency food programs in all areas of New York State. Website New York State Summer Food Service Program This website provides information on the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). In New York, the Summer Food Service Program is administered in New York by the State Education Department (NYSED). The SFSP provides funding for free meals to students during the summer months when school is out. Children 18 years of age and younger are eligible to participate in SFSP. Persons over 18 years old who are physically or mentally disabled and participating in a public or nonprofit private school program established for children with these disabilities may also participate. Website New York State Summer Food Service Program -Find Summer Meals This website has information on the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Summer Food Service Program. In New York, the Summer Food Service Program is administered in New York by the State Education Department (NYSED). It funds free meals for students during the summer months when school is out. Children 18 years of age and younger are eligible to participate in the Summer Food Service Program. Persons over 18 years old who are physically or mentally disabled and who also participate in a public or nonprofit private school program for children with these disabilities can also participate.

Find resources to help you determine eligibility for students in temporary housing here. Determining Eligibility for McKinney-Vento Button The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act is a federal law that discusses the public education of children and youth in temporary housing. Under McKinney-Vento and state law, students are considered to be in temporary housing if their nighttime residence is not fixed, regular, and adequate. Some examples of temporary housing include: Sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship or other similar reason Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, camping grounds Living in emergency or transitional shelters Abandoned in hospitals Living a in public or private place not designed for sleeping Living in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, bus or train stations, etc. Migratory living in circumstances described above FAQ for this topic View topic by category: Guides & Fact sheets 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. For more information, please see our page on student privacy. 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. Guides & Fact Sheets Determining Eligibility for McKinney-Vento Rights and Services NCHE Brief 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. 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. Laws & Guidance Determining McKinney-Vento Eligibility for Students in Direct Placements NYS Education Department The purpose of this field memo is to assist Local Child 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. Forms & Templates Housing Questionnaire (English) NYS Education Department 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. Forms & Templates Housing Questionnaire (Spanish) NYS Education Department 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. Laws & Guidance McKinney-Vento Guidance Regarding Shared Housing Affidavit 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. 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). Guides & Fact Sheets McKinney-Vento Tips for Parents and Guardians NYS TEACHS 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. Forms & Templates NYC Housing Questionnaire NYC Department of Education The NYC Department of Education’s Housing Questionnaire must be given to all students/families when they enroll and any time they report a change of address. The Housing Questionnaire asks about students’ living arrangements in order to identify and provide services to students in temporary housing. To get this form in other languages go to: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enrollment-help/new-students#jump-to-heading-37 Laws & Guidance 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. Laws & Guidance New York State Education Law Section 3209, Education of Homeless Children - RED LINED VERSION 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. Laws & Guidance 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. The Non-Regulatory Guidance can be downloaded below. An accompanying factsheet is also available. In July 2018, U.S. DOE published a letter and addendum to the Non-Regulatory Guidance regarding Title I set-asides for students experiencing homelessness. Forms & Templates 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. Laws & Guidance Supporting the Success of Homeless Children and Youths United States Department of Education Fact Sheet 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.

View the webinar McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act 101 McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act Designed for new liaisons or anyone who wants a refresher on the basic provisions of the McKinney-Vento Act Students experiencing temporary housing are entitled to educational rights under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. There are key provisions and benefits that support students experiencing temporary housing to have full participation in school. 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. By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to: Define homelessness and possible causes. Describe the key provisions of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Utilize the McKinney-Veto Act’s definition of homelessness to determine eligibility of students experiencing temporary housing. Apply their knowledge to scenarios illustrating the basic provisions of the McKinney-Vento Act. Key Resources PDF of PowerPoint Back to Professional Learning