The McKinney-Vento Assistance Act provides certain rights and protections for families experiencing homelessness. According to McKinney-Vento, anyone who lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence is homeless.

Homelessness may include anyone:

• Living in an emergency shelter

• Abandoned in hospitals or awaiting foster care

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

• Living in cars, parks, public spaces, bus or train stations or similar settings

• "Doubled up" living with friends or family due to the loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason

• "Unaccompanied youth", under the age of 18, living without a parent or guardian

• Migratory children living in these conditions

• Immediate enrollment, even if lacking paperwork

• Transportation to and from school of origin

• Free breakfast and lunch programs

• After school tutoring with free transportation to those schools offering the services

• Public posting of rights

• School selection (School of origin/local school)

• Comparable services

• Prohibition of segregation

• Social referrals

• Board of Education Policy

• Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Homeless Information 

For more information, to make referrals, or to ask questions about services for families experiencing homelessness, please contact [to be determined].