Students Experiencing Homelessness

Homeless Liaison
Josh Agpalza
(253) 891-6053

Homeless Outreach Coordinator
Amanda Mangan
(253) 891-6135

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, a provision No Child Left Behind, is the federal law that entitles children who are homeless to a free, appropriate public education, and requires schools to remove barriers to their enrollment, attendance, and success in school. Children who qualify for homeless status are fully integrated and not segregated/separated from their housed peers for academic instruction.

We may be able to help if you or your family live in any of the following situations:

Living with a friend, relative, or someone else
Staying in a motel or hotel
Living in an emergency or transitional shelter or a domestic violence shelter
Staying in sub-standard housing
Living in a car, park, public place, abandoned building, or a bus/train station
Living in a campground or an inadequate trailer home
Abandoned in a hospital
Living in a runaway or homeless youth shelter

How can McKinney Vento help you?

Enroll and attend in school immediately, even if you lack documents normally required for enrollment
Enroll in the school closest to you or the school you were last enrolled in (school of origin), even if you have been forced to relocate
Receive transportation to and from your school of origin
Participate in before and after school programs
Receive counseling
Receive free breakfast and lunch
Receive school supplies

This is not an exhaustive list, funds are available to help eliminate barriers and promote academic success. Ask your School Liaison/Counselor for additional information.

Who qualifies for McKinney Vento?

Children and youth:

Sharing housing due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason
Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camp grounds
Living in emergency or transitional shelters
Abandoned in hospitals
Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations
Migratory children and youth living in any of the above situations