Homeless Students and Families

Homeless Liaison: Dr. Natasha Porter, 601.683.2451

Homeless students are defined by the McKinney-Vento Act as those students who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including children and youth who are:

• Sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, 
  economic hardship, or similar reason

• Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to   
  lack of alternative adequate accommodations

• Living in emergency or transitional shelters

• Abandoned in hospitals

Unaccompanied youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian are considered homeless as are migratory children who live in circumstances listed above.

While the district receives no additional federal funding to provide services to homeless children, the McKinney-Vento Act requires that homeless children be placed in schools that are in the best interest of the child. The district does not receive additional funds to support services for homeless children.  However, No Child Left Behind requires that homeless children receive the same educational services as all other children. Therefore, children in grades K-9 who are considered homeless receive the same services in schoolwide programs as all other children.  Further, if homeless children attend Meridian High School, their specific needs will be met using the Title I set-aside funds for administration.  These funds will provide needed services.

• National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE)
• Information for Parents 
• Information for Students

Please see Related Documents section for further information.