The “McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act” was established in 1987 and amended by “Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015”. The Act defines the term “homeless children and youths” as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.

The Federal mandate ensures that homeless children and youth have access to the same, free, and appropriate public education as other children. Children who are homeless may qualify for assistance with school lunch, school supplies tutoring and transportation so that they can remain in their school of origin.

 “Homeless children and youth” are defined in one or more of the following ways: 

  • Children and youth who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence, and includes children and youth who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks or camping grounds due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; are abandoned in hospitals or are awaiting foster care placement. 

  • Children and youth who have a primary nighttime residence that is a private or public place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.

  • Children and youth who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations or similar settings.

  • Migratory children who qualify as homeless because they are living in circumstances described above. 

If you believe that your child may qualify for this service, please contact:

Matthew McCahan, High School Principal/LEA Homeless Liaison
Phone: 814-635-2975
Email: mmccahan@tmsd.net


Robin Neville, School Social Worker
Phone: 814-635-2975
Email: rneville@tmsd.net