Families in Transition Home

The McKinney-Vento Federal Homeless Assistance Act is the primary legislation that defines the educational rights of children and youth who lack permanent housing.

Students are eligible for McKinney-Vento services if:

• they lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence;
• are “doubled-up,” temporarily living with friends or relatives due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason;
• live in a shelter, transitional housing, motel, vehicle or campground;
• are “unaccompanied youth,” children and youth who are not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian
• are runaway youth 

• enroll in school without having to show proof of residence or other documents (Bulletin S-13) 
• receive transportation assistance (AC Transit, WestCat, BART passes)
• receive school supplies, referrals, and other items to support their educational needs 

McKinney-Vento student have two enrollment options:

• Students have the right to remain enrolled in their “school of origin” even if they no longer reside in the school’s attendance area. By federal and state definitions, the “school of origin” is the school the child or youth attended when permanently housed, or the school in which the child was last enrolled. 
• Students can enroll in a school in which other children who live in the same area are eligible to attend. In most cases, the address that the student is temporarily housed in is used to determine their school of residence.

McKinney-Vento eligible students can enroll in school without having to show proof of residency or other documents such as an immunization card. However, students who are seeking protection and services under McKinney-Vento must complete a WCCUSD Housing Questionnaire when enrolling their child in school. Like an emergency card, the WCCUSD Housing Questionnaire must be updated on a yearly basis to ensure that the student is still McKinney-Vento eligible. 

No. McKinney-Vento students must complete a transfer application and submit it to the Transfer Office. In the meantime, McKinney-Vento students must attend the school in which they are currently enrolled. McKinney-Vento does not give students any special preferences when submitting a transfer application.

Students who reside a mile or more from their school are eligible for transportation assistance under McKinney-Vento. Transportation assistance is provided to McKinney-Vento-eligible students until the end of their current school term. Students must submit a completed WCCUSD Housing Questionnaire to determine eligibility at the start of the new school year.

McKinney-Vento does not specifically require the provision of transportation assistance to parents. However, the Families In Transition office will provide transportation for one parent if they have a child in grade 3 or below and if they reside a mile or more away from their child’s school. 

The West Contra Costa Unified School District “Families In Transition” office provides support for McKinney-Vento eligible children and youth who attend WCCUSD schools. Identifying homeless children and youth is a critical step in ensuring that they receive appropriate services and support. The Families In Transition office provides homeless youth with the following services:

• Transportation Assistance
• School Supplies
• Assistance With School Enrollment
• Referrals To Community Agencies