McKinney-Vento Act: This federal law was originally passed in 1987 and reauthorized in 2002 by No Child Left Behind (Title X, Part C). The purpose of the Act is to protect the educational rights of children and youth experiencing homelessness and to ensure that there are no barriers to enrollment for children and youth experiencing homelessness. The Act also gives a definition of homeless youth and children.

Definition of Homeless Youth…Homeless Youth are defined by the McKinney-Vento Act as children and youth who lack a fixed, regularand adequate nighttime residence. This may include:

1. Sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship or similar reasons. Also called doubled-up or couch surfing.
2. Living with friends or family because you are an unaccompanied youth
3. Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks or camping grounds due to lack of adequate alternative accommodations
4. Living in emergency or transitional shelters
5. Awaiting foster care placement or living with an adult who is not your parent or legal guardian
6. Living in a public or private place not designed for humans to live
7. Living in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, substandard housing (no water, heat, and/or electricity), bus or train stations, etc
8. Migratory children living in the above circumstances.

McKinney Vento Act Services provided by American YouthWorks Housing Counselor…

• Enrollment Assistance (helping obtain paperwork for enrollment)
• Enrollment in the Free Lunch Program
• Community Referrals and Follow Up
• Basic Needs (food, school supplies, clothing, housing referrals)
• Transportation services (monthly bus passes)

Please contact us using our website contact form, or call Emily Mathon, 512-744-1932, if you have questions.