• If your family lives in any of the following situations:

    • In a shelter, motel, vehicle, or campground
    • On the street
    • In an abandoned building, trailer, or other inadequate accommodations
    • Doubled up with friends or relatives because you cannot find or afford housing


    Then, your preschool-aged and school-aged children have certain rights or protections under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act.

    Your children have the right to:

    • Go to school, no matter where you live or how long you have lived there. They must be given access to the same public education, including preschool education, provided to other children.
    • Continue in the school they attended before you became homeless or the school they last attended, if that is your choice and is feasible. If a school sends your child to a school other than the one you request, the school must provide you with a written explanation and offer you the right to appeal the decision.
    • Receive transportation to the school they attended before your family became homeless or the school they last attended, if you or a guardian request such transportation.
    • Attend a school and participate in school programs with children who are not homeless. Children cannot be separated from the regular school program because they are homeless.
    • Enroll in school without giving a permanent address. Schools cannot require proof of residency that might prevent or delay school enrollment.
    • Enroll and attend classes while the school arranges for the transfer of school and immunization records or any other documents required for enrollment.
    • Enroll and attend classes in the school of your choice even while the school and you seek to resolve a dispute over enrolling your children.
    • Receive the same special programs and services, if needed, as provided to all other children served in these programs.
    • Receive transportation to school and to school programs.

     

    Student Housing Questionnaire

    Student Housing Questionnaire (Spanish) 

    Student Housing Questionnaire (Russian)


    When you move, you should do the following:

    • Contact the school district’s local liaison for homeless education (see phone number below) for help in enrolling your child in a new school or arranging for your child to continue in his or her former school. (Or, someone at a shelter, social services office, or the school can direct you to the person you need to contact.)
    • Contact the school and provide any information you think will assist the teachers in helping your child adjust to new circumstances.
    • Ask the local liaison for homeless education, the shelter provider, or a social worker for assistance with clothing and supplies, if needed.


    Appeal Process


    Contacts:
    Danielle Stanford, 253.800.2253

    Echo Abernathy, 253.800.2252

    Jay Brower, 253.800.2251

    If you need further assistance, call the National Center for Homeless Education at the toll-free Helpline number: 1.800.308.2145