McKinney-Vento/Homeless Resources

Homeless Education

Homeless Liaison - Jacqualynn Deal - Phone #410-677-4535

Homeless Case Manager - Joan Harris - Phone#410-677-5842

Maryland’s Requirements and Guidance for Homeless Education


The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act is a federal law that ensures immediate enrollment and educational stability for homeless children and youth. McKinney-Vento provides federal funding to states for the purpose of supporting district programs that serve homeless students.

Defining Homeless
The McKinney-Vento Act defines homeless children as "individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence." The act provides examples of children who would fall under this definition:

  • Children and youth sharing housing due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason

  • Children and youth living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camp grounds due to lack of alternative accommodations

  • Children and youth living in emergency or transitional shelters

  • Children and youth whose primary nighttime residence is not ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation (e.g. park benches, etc)

  • Children and youth 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

Enrollment and Transportation
The McKinney-Vento Act requires schools to enroll homeless children and youth immediately, even if they lack normally required documents, such as immunization records or proof of residence. The school district must make best interest determinations that presume that staying in the school of origin is in the best interest of the child or youth; consider specific student-centered factors; prioritize the wishes of the parent, guardian, or unaccompanied youth; and include a written explanation and right to appeal if the LEA determines that school stability is not in the best interest of the child or youth.

Dispute Resolution
Schools must provide you with a written explanation if a placement dispute occurs, and you may appeal the school’s decision. Your child will continue to be transported during the dispute process. The following procedures are specified in McKinney-Vento and further explained in Wicomico County’s Dispute Resolution Form  https://5il.co/2kmzp

For more information: