What does the McKinney Vento Act mean?

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is the primary piece of federal legislation for educating children and youth experiencing homelessness. Specific provisions ensure enrollment, accessibility, and educational stability for students lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.

Every school district has a McKinney-Vento (MKV) Homeless Education Liaison who is responsible for identifying MKV students and providing them with resources. You can find the liaison in your district by referring to the list of liaisons provided by the Colorado Department of Education. For more information on McKinney-Vento support in your community, please reference, McKinney-Vento Homeless Education at CDE.

Resources for Families Displaced by Wildfires and Other Natural Disasters. Children and youth who are displaced by disasters may be eligible for support like other students in homeless situations, under the McKinney-Vento Act.

State and National Organizations:

• SERVE: The National Center for Homeless Education at SERVE. The Center provides research, resources, and information enabling communities to address the educational needs of children and youth experiencing homelessness.
• National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY): NAEHCY connect educators, parents, advocates, researchers, and service providers to ensure school enrollment and attendance, and overall success for children and youth whose lives have been disrupted by the lack of safe, permanent, and adequate housing.
• US Department of Education (DOE): DOE's mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.
• Colorado Coalition for the Homeless: The mission of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is to work collaboratively toward the prevention of homelessness and the creation of lasting solutions for homeless and at-risk families, children, and individuals throughout Colorado.
• Hunger Free Colorado: The organization addresses policy change, collaborative programming, and strategic resource development, targeted awareness building, and measuring progress. It was formed from the restructuring of the Colorado Anti-Hunger Network and Colorado Food Bank Association.
• United Way 211 Information: 2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember and universally recognizable number that makes a critical connection between individuals and families in need and the appropriate community-based organizations and government agencies. 211 online has a database of local resources at your fingertips.
• Learn more about Migrant Education