Students Experiencing Homelessness

With a focus on OSPI's vision of all students prepared for post-secondary pathways, careers, and civic engagement, the Student Engagement & Special Programs Division strives to create an equitable education system that provides whole-child supports in partnership with communities to ensure every student is safe, supported, and equipped to thrive and learn.

Washington receives funding each year from the U.S. Department of Education and the Washington State Legislature to support the education of homeless students in school programs. Funding is distributed to LEAs through a competitive grant process.

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 abandoned in hospitals
• 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

McKinney-Vento Act

The McKinney-Vento Education of Homeless Children and Youth Assistance Act is a federal law that ensures immediate enrollment and educational stability for homeless children and youth.

Homeless Education Grants

Federal and state grant funding is available to districts on a competitive and/or formula basis. These supplemental funds are designed to support districts with identification, enrollment, and services for public school students living in homeless situations. Learn more about the federal McKinney-Vento Act Grant and the state Homeless Student Stability Education Program (HSSEP) Grant.

Homeless Education Liaison Contact List

The McKinney-Vento Act requires local educational agencies to designate a liaison for children and youth experiencing homelessness. These liaisons provide support to students and families experiencing homelessness by coordinating services to ensure students have equal access to the same free, appropriate public education as provided to other children and youths.

See a list of homeless education liaison contacts or update contacts using the Homeless Liaison Update Form.

Homeless Student Data

Data is collected each year on homeless children and youth enrolled and served by districts in Washington state.

Posters & Brochures for Outreach - Order Here!

School districts shall ensure that public notice of the educational rights of homeless children and youth is disseminated where such children and youth receive services under this Act, such as shelters, public libraries, and soup kitchens, in a manner and form understandable to the parents and guardians of homeless children and youth.

Resources for Homeless Children & Youth

Find sample forms and templates for districts to meet federal and state program compliance.

FAQ on the Educational Rights of Children & Youth in Homeless Situations

The National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth has compiled and answered the most frequently asked questions about the educational rights of children and youth experiencing homelessness.