In 2007, the month of November, was declared National Homeless Youth Awareness Month. It was established to acknowledge families and youth experiencing homelessness. There are approximately 2.5 million homeless youth. These youth have experienced loss of their home, community, friends, routines, sense of stability and sense of safety. They are often the victims of trauma. Homeless youth are exposed to many dangers (substance abuse, early parenthood, depression, impulsivity, post traumatic stress disorder, and increased risk of human trafficking). 

More information, can be found on the ROE 9 website under Services/Program here. 

What Defines a Homeless Student?

Students who are considered to be homeless "lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence". This includes children or youth who are living in motels, hotels, camp grounds, transitional shelters, parks, cars, or any nighttime residence that is a public or private place not meant to be used as a regular sleeping accommodation. This includes children who fall into the following groups:

• Children waiting for foster placement
• Migratory Children who have night time accommodations that are not fit for habitation
• Unaccompanied youth who are not in physical custody of a parent or guardian
• Children who are denied housing by a parent or guardian
• Children or youth who are sharing a residence with another family
• Children living in shelters

Rights of Homeless Students:

The Stewart B McKinney-Vento Homeless Student Assistance Act protects the rights of all homeless students by:

• Assuring they have a free, appropriate public education
• Identifying and providing assistance to meet academic and non-academic needs
• Ensuring barriers to education are eliminated

Where can you get More information?

• Contact your local public school district or the Superintendent for your local public school district
• Follow the resource links for McKinney-Vento in the left side bar of this webpage
• Contact your local Regional Office of Education