Moving in the middle of the year
In January your family has to leave your apartment and moves in with your aunt in the next district. When your mother goes to enroll you at the nearby school, the office asks for a lease, proof of address, immunization records, and a transcript from your last school. She has none of those with her, and you would rather stay at your old school anyway, where you know everyone.
What could you do?
Pick a response to see how it usually plays out.
The general principles
- McKinney-Vento covers students who lack a fixed, regular, adequate nighttime residence, including staying with others after losing housing.
- Immediate enrollment without the usual documents, the school of origin, and transportation are the three core rights.
- While a dispute is being resolved, the student must be enrolled in the requested school.
Safer next steps
- Ask the office: "Who is the district's McKinney-Vento liaison?"
- Say plainly that the family lost housing and is staying with a relative.
- Ask about the school of origin and transportation before choosing.
- If refused anything, ask for it in writing along with how to appeal.
The federal law sets these rights nationally, but each state has its own coordinator and each district its own liaison and procedures.
A school counsellor, social worker, or the district liaison can carry most of this for a family that is already stretched. A young person not living with a parent can ask for the liaison themselves.
Support you can reach
- 211 (United Way) (opens in a new tab)
Dial 211 to be connected with local help for food, housing, bills, health care, and family services.
- National Runaway Safeline (opens in a new tab)
Confidential help for young people thinking about leaving home, already away, or trying to return.
- LawHelp.org (opens in a new tab)
Directory that finds free legal aid programs in your state for housing, family, school, work, and more.
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