The McKinney-Vento Act’s Education of Homeless Children and Youth Program

If you live in any of the following situations, school age children may qualify for certain rights and protections under the federal McKinney-Vento Act:

  • In a shelter
  • In a motel or campground due to the lack of an alternative adequate accommodation
  • In a car, park, abandoned building, or bus or train station
  • Doubled up with other people due to loss of housing or economic hardship

The McKinney-Vento Act’s Education of Homeless Children and Youth Program ensures that homeless children and youth are provided a free, appropriate public education, despite lack of a fixed place of residence or a supervising parent or guardian. The state public school admission statute assuring the right of homeless and other children and youth in similar circumstances to enroll in schools is ORS 399.115(7).

Eligible students have the right to:

  • Receive equal access to the same free, appropriate public education, including a preschool education, as provided to other children and youths
  • Enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documents normally required for enrollment
  • Enroll in school and attend classes while the school gathers needed documents
  • Enroll in the local school, or continue attending their school of origin.
  • Receive transportation to and from the school of origin, if you request this.
  • Access educational and other services comparable to those provided to other students, according to their needs

Every school district in Oregon has at least one designated Homeless Student Liaison to provide direct assistance to homeless families and unaccompanied youths to access and achieve in school.

Learn more on the state program website

Most Recent Neah-Kah-Nie School District McKinney-Vento Data
McKinney-Vento Report
McKinney-Vento Report Spanish

Our Staff

Heaven Hartford
Nehalem Elementary Family Resource Coordinator
heavenh@nknsd.org

Jennifer Hopkins
Neah-Kah-Nie Middle/High School Family Resource Coordinator
hopkinsj@nknsd.org

Terry Houchins 
Garibaldi Grade School Family Resource Coordinator
terryh@nknsd.org

Ericka Keefauver
McKinney-Vento
Special Student Services Director
erickak@nknsd.org