McKinney-Vento- Texas Education for Homeless Children and Youth (TEHCY) Program
Hawkins ISD Liaison is Lindsay Bell.
Region 7 Education Service Center
The McKinney-Vento Act defines homeless as children lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate residence. If any one of the three conditions is missing, the child is considered homeless.
- Fixed: Stationary, permanent, not subject to change
- Regular: Used on a regular (nightly) basis
- Adequate: Sufficient for meeting both the physical and psychological needs typically met in home environments
McKINNEY-VENTO PROTECTION
WHAT TO DO IF YOU QUALIFY FOR McKINNEY-VENTO PROTECTION:
If you qualify for protection under the McKinney-Vento Act, you have access to certain rights and protections. There are several steps you can take to ensure that you are accessing all of the benefits your community may offer.
- Know Your Rights
The McKinney-Vento Act grants legal protections so that children and youth (ages 5-21 years) may enroll in, attend, and have the opportunities to succeed in school. Read the following fact sheets provided by THEO to learn more about your rights and techniques for dealing with your children in a crisis situation.
The Educational Rights of Students in Homeless Situations: What Service Providers Should Know
- Meet Your Liaison
By law, every school district and charter school must designate a homeless liaison that can educate and advocate for homeless students. Liaisons’ duties include helping students without homes enroll in school or pre-school, assisting to arrange transportation to school, and mediating disputes.
TEHCY Liaison Directory
LIAISONS
“Homeless Liaison” may be in your job description – but do you know what it means?
By law, every local education agency (school district or charter school) must appoint a staff member to act as a liaison for students in homeless situations. Often this person holds one or more other job titles, including parent or school liaison, migrant or outreach coordinator, counselor, principal, federal programs director, or assistant superintendent.
Liaisons are responsible for: Identifying students in homeless situations, enrolling these students in school, and giving them “full and equal opportunity to succeed”. This includes:
- Ensuring qualified students are also enrolled in other appropriate educational services such as Head Start or pre-school.
- Referring students to appropriate health services.
- Keeping parents and guardians informed as to their students’ options and rights.
- Publicly posting notice of educational rights.
- Mediating enrollment disputes.
- Informing about and assisting with transportation arrangements.
- Helping students obtain immunizations (where needed), and medical records.
- Informing unaccompanied youth (students without parents or guardians) about enrollment options and assist them in enrolling.
County Resources:
The Madeline House & Grace Outreach
P.O. Box 1456
Mount Vernon, TX 75457
903-717-2317
Other Resources:
Aunt Bertha
A Judicial Guide: Identifying and Serving Youth Experiencing Homelessness
Liaison Resource Guide - A compilation of some online resources organized by topic.
McKinney-Vento Act
2-1-1 Texas - A free service that can refer you to appropriate social service agencies and provide their contact information. It is supported by the state’s Health and Human Service Commission's Texas Information and Referral Network. This service can be accessed via its website (searchable by service type and location) or by phone (dial 2-1-1).
Texas Network of Youth Services
Texas Homeless Network
SchoolHouse Connection
National Center for Homeless Education
National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth
Texas Shelters
Presbyterian Children's Homes and Services
Samaritan Counseling Center of East Texas, Inc.
Andrews Center
The Salvation Army
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