Homeless Children & Youth Program

The Texas Education for Homeless Children and Youth (TEHCY) Program provides direction and leadership on the implementation of state and federal guidance regarding program services for McKinney-Vento eligible students. All Texas public schools, charter schools, and education services centers, collectively known as local education agencies (LEAs), must follow federal rules concerning the education of homeless students. These requirements are detailed in the McKinney-Vento Act.

If you live in any of the following situations:

• Doubled-up with other people
• Hotel/Motel
• Homeless Shelter
• Car, park, empty building, bus, or train station
• Campground

Eligible students have the right to:

• Receive a free, appropriate public education.
• Enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documents normally required for enrollment.
• Enroll in school and attend classes while the school gathers needed documents.
• Enroll in the local school or continue attending their school of origin if that is your preference.
• Receive transportation to and from the school of origin, if requested.
• Receive educational services comparable to those provided to other students, according to the student’s needs.

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 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.

 

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.

Every local education agency (school district or charter school) mustappoint 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.