Homeless / Unaccompanied

The Washington County School District is committed to ensuring that homeless children and youth have access to a quality education in our public schools. The McKinney-Vento Act defines “homeless children and youth” as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. 

• Homeless Brochure

The term includes children and youth who are:

• Sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason (sometimes referred to as doubled-up).
• Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations.
• Living in emergency or transitional shelters.
• Abandoned in hospitals.
• Unaccompanied youth.
• Children and youth who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.
• Children and youth who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings.
• Migratory children who qualify as homeless because they are living in circumstances described above.

Any student living in any of these circumstances has the right to a fair and free education just like any other student. They also qualify for these additional benefits:

• Quick enrollment at the local school, even if the required paperwork is missing.
• Free breakfast and lunch.
• All class fees waived.
• School supplies and a school support team as needed.
• Any student who qualifies in their 12th grade year will have financial assistance available through the FAFSA.

If you believe your student may qualify as homeless under the McKinney-Vento Act, please see your local school or contact the Homeless Liaison below.

Brian Gunnell