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McKinney-Vento

Region 5 McKinney-Vento Program - Children & Youth Experiencing Homelessness

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ensures the educational rights and protections of children and youth experiencing homelessness. 

The federal education definition of homelessness is Individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This may include those who are:

  • sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason;
  • staying in motels, trailer parks, or camp grounds due to the lack of an adequate alternative;
  • staying in shelters or intermediate housing;
  • or sleeping in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, or similar settings
  • includes migratory children who qualify as homeless because the children are living in circumstances that fit the federal definition of homelessness

Resource: Infographic on the education definition of homelessness.

Resource: 42 USC CHAPTER 119, SUBCHAPTER VI, Part B: Education for Homeless Children and Youths

 

All Local Education Agencies (LEAs), also referred to as school districts, are required by the McKinney-Vento Act to designate a district liaison to assist children and youth experiencing homelessness with enrollment in school, as well as ensuring all services that the student is entitled to are received. 

For more information, contact your local McKinney-Vento Liaison or reach out to Region 5 ESC by emailing mckinney-vento@esc5.net.

Region 5 McKinney-Vento District Liaison Directory

 

McKinney-Vento Resource Guide 

Click below to access the Region 5 McKinney-Vento Resource Guide.  This guide has many resources and community-based organizations throughout the Region 5 area that are ready to serve Southeast Texas.  

Visit our resource page to view this directory. 

https://sites.google.com/esc5.net/region5resourceguides/home

 

 

McKinney-Vento Resources from the Texas Education Agency

Have you visited the new TEHCY web portal?

If not, you are missing out! The TEA TEHCY team recently announced the launch of the new TEHCY Portal. Click the link below to access this site full of current McKinney-Vento resources. You will find guidance documents, sample forms, the new discipline toolkit, and much more! 

https://tehcy.tea.texas.gov/

2025–26 School Year HMAR Webinars & Professional Development

PLEASE NOTE: All HMAR webinars are recorded and will be posted to this HMAR Webinar webpage after the event. Additionally, Continuing Professional Education (CPE) certificates are provided to those who (a) attend live AND (b) complete the end of webinar feedback survey.

  • HMAR Quarterly Webinar #1: Registration Link
    • Date: September 18, 2025 @ 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM CST
  • HMAR Quarterly Webinar #2: Registration Link
    • Date: November 13, 2025 @ 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM CST
  • HMAR Quarterly Webinar #3: Registration Link 
    • Date: February 5, 2026 @ 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM CST
  • HMAR Quarterly Webinar #4: Registration Link
    • Date: May 7, 2026 @ 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM CST

For a comprehensive, printable PDF listing of all HMAR and individual program webinars and professional development opportunities for the 2025–26 school year, please visit the following resource: 2025-26 HMAR Professional Development Opportunities.

For more information, visit the TEA website.

Resources

For more information, visit the Texas Education Agency TEHCY website by clicking below.  The site has many current resources and also has a complete list of all Texas ESC Regional McKinney-Vento Liaisons and current training and resources. 

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS TEA RESOURCES

 

NEW!!  The TEHCY Discipline ToolKit

This toolkit presents clear and specific descriptions of the provisions of the McKinney-Vento Act as they pertain to discipline and includes practices, procedures, and tools that local education agencies (LEAs) will be able to use to strengthen services and supports to students experiencing homelessness, also known as McKinney-Vento eligible students.

McKinney-Vento Posters

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has released two versions of the McKinney-Vento posters.  One to assist parents of school-age youth and a second to assist unaccompanied youth.  The posters are available in both English and Spanish. 

Local Education Agencies (LEAs) can download the digital files below and post this information on their LEA homeless education program webpage.  LEAs should collaborate with their school staff and community partners (e.g. food pantries, faith-based organizations, local housing authorities, shelters, etc.) to share printed copies of this poster.  

Technical Assistance to LEA Liaisons

Do you have a question about the McKinney-Vento Act and/or the rights of children and youth experiencing homelessness? If so, Region 5 McKinney-Vento Staff can help.  Reach out to Region 5 by clicking on the link below and completing the short form.  The Region 5 staff will be notified immediately and will contact you as soon as possible.  

CLICK HERE TO REQUEST TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

You can also reach us by phone (409)951-1877 or by email: mckinney-vento@esc5.net

 

Helpful McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act Resources 

National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE)

National Coalition for Homeless

National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY)

Texas Homeless Network (THN)

Determining Eligibility