McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act
Education of Homeless Children and Youth Program
This program works to ensure the enrollment, attendance and the opportunity to succeed in school for homeless children and youth. This program collaborates with other state agencies and community providers to support homeless families and their students.
Note: Massachusetts has seen an influx of children impacted by major hurricanes in school year 2017-2018. Please remember that children who have lost their housing are protected under McKinney-Vento and have the right to immediate enrollment in school even if they do not have the documentation usually required to enroll. These Frequently Asked Questions [English 
/ Spanish ] have been shared with the state’s Family Resource Centers, service providers and parents to address the needs of families who have lost their housing in the recent hurricanes.
Important: Please see our Educational Stability for Students in Foster Care page for information about implementing and ensuring educational access and stability for children in foster care as required by the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
Homeless Education Liaison
Contact
For technical assistance, complaints or other questions please contact our Problem Resolution Services staff at 781-338-3700 or compliance@doe.mass.edu.
Regional Homeless Education Liaisons:
Regional Liaisons have considerable experience and are available to provide local district liaisons with technical assistance on cases, best practices, and resources, assist with district trainings and mentor new homeless liaisons.
Guidance
McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance — Advisories
DESE Guidance on Data Collection
Guidance on Fixed, Regular, and Adequate Housing: Identifying Family and Youth Homelessness
US Department of Agriculture Guidance for Homeless Children in School Nutrition Programs
Non-Regulatory Guidance: Education for Homeless Children and Youths Program
Federal and State Laws
McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act (Title Vii Part B of McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance and Title IX Part A of ESSA.)
Massachusetts Caregivers Affidavit
Grant Program
Funding is available to school districts with significant numbers of homeless students and can be used to provide tutoring and academic support, professional development, engagement of homeless parents in their children's education, and access to mentoring, after school and summer programming. The current RFP for this grant provides further details.
Trainings, Meetings & Orientations
Information about future trainings will be posted here when confirmed.
DESE Data
Homeless Education Data Collection Report 2017-2018
Homeless Education Data Collection Report 2016-2017
Homeless Education Data Collection Report 2015-2016
McKinney-Vento Summary 2010 to 2015
Related Resources
National Center for Homeless Education
Last Updated: May 28, 2020