• What is McKinney-Vento

    The mission of the McKinney-Vento Program is to ensure that all children and youth experiencing homelessness have access to the educational services to which they are entitled under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.

    Examples of living situations that may qualify include, but are not limited to:

    • Living with a friend, relative or other person/family because of a loss of housing
    • Staying in a motel or hotel because of a loss of housing or fleeing domestic violence
    • Living in an emergency shelter, transitional housing or domestic violence shelter
    • Living in a car, park or public place, abandoned building or bus station
    • Living temporarily in substandard housing
    • Living in a campground or an inadequate trailer home
    • Living in a runaway or homeless youth shelter; run away youth
    • Youth living on their own, even if their families want them to come home

    McKinney-Vento Definition of Homelessness

    Eligible children have the right to:

    • Receive a free, appropriate public education.
    • 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 (the school they attended when permanently housed or the school in which they were last enrolled), if that is your preference. * If the school district believes that the school you select is not in the best interest of your children, then the district must provide you with a written explanation of its position and inform you of your right to appeal its decision.
    • Receive transportation to and from the school of origin, if you request this.
    • Receive educational services comparable to those provided to other students, according to your children’s needs.

    Requesting Services

    Services provided include immediate enrollment, school selection promoting stability, nutrition and academic support. McKinney-Vento services are only provided for the duration of a school year and do not automatically renew. School Social Workers assess for eligibility. To obtain more information about services provided and how to access services, please contact the School Social Worker at the appropriate school.

    Parent Resources

    Help For Homeless Children With Disabilities; Parent Information

    McKinney-Vento Liasons 

    PCS Contact
    Kim Anderson,     Lead School Social Worker
    (252) 367-1369 | [email protected]

    State Contact
    Lisa Phillips,     State Coordinator of NC Homeless Education Program
    http://center.serve.org/hepnc
    P.O. Box 5367
    Greensboro, NC 27435
    (336) 315-7491