McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act runs through Title IX, part A of Every Student Succeeds Act in Colorado. They also provide specific resources and information for school district liaisons and other audiences to ensure access to a free and appropriate public education for homeless children and youth, and success in school once enrolled.

The Homeless Education program is authorized under Title VII-B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 USC 11431 et seq.). The McKinney-Vento Act was enacted to address the numerous barriers homeless children face in obtaining a free, appropriate public education.

The program was originally authorized in 1987 and, most recently, reauthorized as Title IX, Part A of The Every Student Succeeds Act. The Act ensures educational rights and protections for children, youth and unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness including the following:

• The right to immediate enrollment in school, even if lacking paperwork normally required for enrollment.
• The right to attend school in his/her school of origin, if in the child or youth’s best interest, or if the school in the attendance area where the family or youth is currently residing.
• The right to receive transportation to his/her school of origin, if this is requested by the parent or unaccompanied youth.
• The right to services comparable to those received by household schoolmates, including transportation and supplemental educational services.
• The right to attend school along with children not experiencing homelessness. Segregation based on a student’s status as homeless is strictly prohibited.
• The posting of homeless students’ rights in all schools and other places around the community.

Learn more about McKinney-Vento Homeless Education by visiting:

https://www.cde.state.co.us/studentsupport/homele