How does the McKinney-Vento Act define student homelessness?

The McKinney-Vento Act defines homelessness as lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This broad definition includes students living in shelters, motels, cars, or doubled up with other families, meaning far more students may qualify than schools typically recognize.

What is the role of a homeless education liaison in a school district?

A local homeless education liaison is a designated staff member responsible for identifying students experiencing homelessness and ensuring they receive the support and services they are entitled to under federal law. Liaisons serve as a critical connection point between homeless families and the school system, helping remove barriers to enrollment and attendance.

What strategies can schools use to better support students experiencing homelessness?

Schools should prioritize empathy and individualized attention when working with homeless students, recognizing the instability and stress these students face outside the classroom. Building relationships, reducing enrollment barriers, and connecting families to community resources are all key strategies. Training staff to identify signs of homelessness and respond with sensitivity is also essential.

How to Assist Students Experiencing Homeles...

How to Assist Students Experiencing Homelessness

This episode of School Safety Today explores the challenges faced by students experiencing homelessness and how schools can better support them. Host Dr. Amy Grosso speaks with Kenya Haynes of the National Center for Homeless Education about the McKinney-Vento Act's definition of homelessness, the role of local liaisons, and the importance of empathy-driven, individualized student support.

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By Education Technology · December 12, 2023, 11:30 AM UTCDr. Amy GrossoEducational Challenges for Homeless StudentsHomeless Education ProgramsKenya Haynes

Key takeaways

The McKinney-Vento Act defines homelessness broadly as any living situation that is not fixed, regular, and adequate — covering more students than many educators realize.

Local homeless education liaisons play a critical role in identifying and supporting students experiencing homelessness within school districts.

Effective support requires empathy, compassion, and individualized attention tailored to each student's circumstances.

In today's episode of School Safety Today by Raptor Technologies, host Dr. Amy Grosso sat down with Kenya Haynes, Program Specialist at the National Center for Homeless Education to discuss the complexities surrounding the issue of students experiencing homelessness and the educational strategies required to address these challenges effectively.

The broad definition of homelessness according to the McKinney-Vento Act and the criteria of having a living situation that is not fixed, regular, and adequate.
The critical role of local homeless education liaisons in school districts with students experiencing homelessness.
The need for empathy, compassion, and individualized attention in supporting these students.

About the Guest

Kenya Haynes is a program specialist at the National Center for Homeless Education. An educator for 25 years, she joined NCHE in 2018 after sixteen years at the Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) where she focused her energy on working with vulnerable student populations. During her tenure at WDE, she worked with homeless education, dropout prevention, juvenile justice, gender equity, civil rights, school accreditation, gifted and talented education, homeschooling, Title I, and the state system of support. She is honored to have served on the board of the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth and as liaison to the National Expert Panel for the Education of Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent, or At-Risk.