Student Support Services
McKinney-Vento Program
Important McKinney-Vento Links
National Center for Homeless Education
OSPI- Resources for Homeless Children and Youth
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Homeless Youth
Local Resources:
Coastal Community Action Program (360) 533-5100
Hoquiam Food and Clothing Bank (360) 533-4909
Family Promise of Grays Harbor (360) 986-3944
Cuestionario sobre la vivienda del estudiante
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. McKinney-Vento provides federal funding to states for the purpose of supporting district programs that serve homeless students.
Defining Homelessness
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 Services
Students who are eligible for McKinney-Vento funds are entitled to receive a variety of services. The primary responsibility of the District Liaison is to eliminate any barriers to the McKinney-Vento student’s right to education and school participation comparable of that of a student who is not homeless. The following are a list of services, which the Liaison will address and are available to the Student:
Immediate school enrollment despite missing documentation or records.
Immediate free lunch.
Transportation to district school or school of origin either by school bus or Transit pass.
The right to attend the school attended prior to being displaced despite “residing” out of the district.
Schools supplies and Tutoring referrals
School fees waived/paid for with McKinney-Vento funds; ASB card (for those wanting play a sport or need it for another activity: band, choir…etc.), PE attire, library fees or any other fee associated with participating in school-sponsored activities. (Does not include an ASB card to attend games)
Counseling and Social Services referrals
Support with the referral process for services such as special Education/Gifted/Talented
Assistance with up to the purchase of needed documents (birth certificate, social security cards, medical records, etc.)
Community referrals/assistance with: addressing medical issues, applying for DSHS benefits, vocational, technical, after-school programs or any other identified need considered to be a barrier to the student’s education
*High School Seniors-Assistance with applying for college, completing FAFSA, financial assistance with entrance exams and application fees.
Other services may be available on a case-by-case basis.
Please contact Amy Butcher, Special Programs Liaison, at (360) 538-8295 or by email to nbutcher@hoquiam.net to inquire about the program or with questions.