The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act  is a piece of federal legislation that addresses the education of children and youth in homeless situations. This federal law entitles children who are homeless to a free, appropriate public education and requires schools to remove barriers to enrollment, attendance, and success in schools. Edgecombe County Public Schools provides services that include immediate enrollment, a school selection that promotes stability, and other supports.

This Act protects all students who do not have a fixed, regular, and adequate residence, such as students living in the following situations:

•       doubled-up housing with other families or friends due to hardship

•       runaway youth

•       hotels or motels

•       shelters

•       cars, abandoned buildings, the street, or other public spaces

•       campgrounds or inadequate trailer homes

•       abandoned in a hospital

To obtain more information about services provided to homeless youth and how to access services, please contact Stephanie Gay, phone: (252) 883-1432, email: sgay@ecps.us.