The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
Students staying in shelters, hotels, or other temporary situations and students in foster care, have certain rights and legal protections to ensure access to public education.
Minneapolis Public Schools is guided by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). These federal laws provide students experiencing homelessness and students in foster care with certain rights so they have access to opportunities that will help them meet the same high academic standards expected of all students in our district.
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act defines homelessness as children and youth "who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence"
Students who experience homelessness have certain rights protected by the federal McKinney-Vento Homelessness Assistance Act.
Our school social workers Melanie Quinonez melanie.quinonez@mpls.k12.mn.us or Micaela Bell micaela.bell@mpls.k12.mn.us can provide support and resources for families experiencing homelessness.
Hennepin County and community providers can help people experiencing homelessness.
It is increasingly important that school sites know when a family is experiencing homelessness so we can prioritize the family for support and protect student educational rights. Even when transportation is not needed due to distance learning it is important that families/students alert the school social worker if they are experiencing homelessness.
Resources for families and students experiencing housing instability are available.
McKinney Vento Public Notice- Spanish
McKinney Vento Public Notice- English
McKinney Vento Public Notice- Somali
McKinney Vento Public Notice- Hmong
