The McKinney-Vento Act provides educational support for children and youth experiencing homelessness.

Eligibility for McKinney-Vento Services

If your family lives...

• in a shelter
• in a motel or campground due to the lack of an alternative adequate accommodation
• doubled up with other people due to loss of housing or economic hardship

...your child might be able to receive help through a federal law called the McKinney-Vento Act.  If you believe you may qualify, please complete the McKinney-Vento Student Identification Form and return it to your child's principal, counselor, or teacher.  All information is kept confidential.

McKinney-Vento Rights and Supports

Your McKinney-Vento 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 the local school; or continue attending the school of origin (the school they attended when permanently housed or the school in which they were last enrolled), if that is your preference.
• receive transportation to and from the school of origin, if you request this.
• receive educational services comparable to those provided to other students, according to your children's needs.

Resources for Support

Plymouth-Canton Community Schools' McKinney-Vento Liaison is Kimberly May, Director of State and Federal Programs and Continuous Improvement.  Services that the district can provide for eligible students include transportation assistance, free/reduced breakfast and lunch, school supplies, hygiene supplies, assistance with activity fees (such as field trip and extracurricular expenses), and others.

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) Coordinator for Homeless education is Irma Lopez-Barajas.

Below are some websites that may provide other helpful information and resources.

MDE Title IX McKinney-Vento Homeless

National Center for Homeless Education

Forgotten Harvest food pantry; find times and locations for food pickup.

211 Network is supported by the United Way and can provide help with food, housing or paying bills, and crisis support.

Great Start Collaborative - Wayne County has a comprehensive list of services in Wayne County for clothing and diapers, early learning, family health and dental, food, housing and shelter, mental health, and more.