The McKinney-Vento Assistance Act, previously referenced as "Title X" and now reclassified as "Title VII-B," strengthens education support for students who find themselves and their families facing housing hardship (42 U.S.C. 11431).

Every school district in Oregon has at least one designated McKinney-Vento Liaison who provides direct assistance to families and unaccompanied youth, helping with access to education, which enables success in school. 

For additional information, please contact the HSD McKinney-Vento team or visit the Oregon Department of Education's website. 

Possible reasons for qualifying:

The McKinney-Vento Act ensures that students who face housing instability and hardship have access to a free, appropriate and public education, despite the lack of a fixed living environment or a supervising parent or guardian. The term "housing instability" includes children and families living in:

• Doubled-up housing - living temporarily with family or friends due to economic hardship or a similar reason.
• Couch surfing.
• Runaway youth shelters.
• Hotels or motels.
• Shelters or transitional housing, including domestic violence shelters and clean and sober living programs.
• Cars, abandoned buildings, parks, on the street.
• Campgrounds or inadequate trailer homes
• Substandard housing - spaces which may have mold, rodents, or lack access to heating, cooling, electricity, running water. 
• Youth living on their own without a parent or legal guardian (known as unaccompanied youth)

If you currently find yourself in any of the situations described above, you or your children are entitled to assistance.

Students experiencing housing instability have the right to:

• Get help enrolling and succeeding in school -including preschool- from the district's McKinney-Vento Liaison or from a designated school building contact.
• Stay in the school they were attending before facing housing instability (called "school of origin), even if they move out of the district, or they may choose to enroll in their neighborhood school.
• Receive transportation to their school of origin, provided or arranged by the school district.
• Access preschool services, apply for free school meals, and access to all educational services they are entitled to per state and federal regulations.

When you disagree with an outcome:

• Dispute Resolution Form - This form is to be completed by the school when a disagreement arises between the school and a parent, guardian, or unaccompanied youth over McKinney-Vento eligibility, school selection, or enrollment in a school.

• Community Action Assistance with Housing, Child Care, Head Start, Pregnancy and Parenting, Rent, Utilities, Weatherization
• Safe Place Emergency youth shelter
• HomePlate Youth drop-in center
• 211 Info
• Food Finder - Oregon Food Bank
• Virginia Garcia
• Hawthorn Walk-in Center
• Project Access Now Healthcare
• Community Alliance of Tenants (CAT)
• Internet Essentials low cost assistance
• Assurance Wireless Cell phone assistance
• Family Justice Center Washington County domestic violence resources
• Street Roots
• Northwest Children's Outreach Clothing, diapers, books and toys, hygiene
• Love INC. Gap Ministry Furniture, bedding
• Inukai Family Club part of Boys and Girls Club
• FAFSA for youth experiencing housing instability
• The Trevor Project