Early Childhood, PreK-12, Higher Education (August 2025)

Training Resources for School Staff: Identifying & Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness

Equip school staff with the knowledge and tools they need to identify and support children and youth experiencing homelessness.

What Are the 10 Legal Duties of LEA Liaisons?

Under the McKinney-Vento Act, every local educational agency (LEA) must designate a liaison to support children and youth experiencing homelessness. Liaisons have ten legal duties, including providing professional development to school staff. Training is essential for proper identification and ensuring students receive the educational stability that is their surest path out of homelessness and poverty.

Check it out

LEA Liaisons Must Train and Support School Staff

Equip educators and school staff with the knowledge, tools, and training they need to identify and support children and youth experiencing homelessness under the McKinney-Vento Act.

This hub includes customizable presentations, videos, checklists, and sample materials to help you meet federal requirements and strengthen support for students.

Early Childhood Education Access

Referring Young Children to Early Childhood Development Programs: Checklist for Homeless Liaisons

Use this checklist as a guide for ensuring young children experiencing homelessness are enrolled.

Download the Early Education Referral Checklist

Customizable Presentations (McKinney-Vento & FAFSA for Unaccompanied Homeless Youth)

McKinney-Vento Training Templates

15-Minute McKinney-Vento 101 Comprehensive McKinney-Vento Training

FAFSA for Unaccompanied Homeless Youth (UHY)

10-Minute UHY FAFSA 101 Training Comprehensive UHY FAFSA 101 Training

Extracurricular Activities

Full Participation in Extracurricular Activities for Students Experiencing Homelessness

This resource explains the McKinney-Vento Act requirements and provides examples of state policies to help implement them.

View the Extracurricular Participation Guide

Flyers and Infographics

Federal Education Definition of Homelessness

• Click Here to Download the Infographic
• Click Here to Download the Editable Infographic – You can insert your agencies’ contact information in this editable version.

Homeless Education Directory

Find LEA homeless liaisons, Head Start Collaboration Offices, and Homeless Higher Education Liaisons in your state.

Search the Directory

Sample Materials from Local School Districts

See how districts nationwide are training staff and raising awareness:

• Online referral form (Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office, CA)
• Eviction Awareness Poster (North East Independent School District, TX)
• Enrollment Letter for McKinney-Vento Families (St. Lucie Public Schools, FL)
• Awareness Materials in English and Spanish (Dallas ISD, TX)
• Teacher Training Video (Schoolhouse Link, FL)
• McKinney-Vento Poster in Farsi/Dari (Irvine USD, CA)
  • English version for reference
• McKinney-Vento Enrollment Form in Farsi/Dari (Irvine USD, CA)
  • English version for reference
• Checklists for Specific School Staff (OSPI, WA)

Tools for Specific School Staff

Quick Guide for Counseling Staff Working with Students Experiencing Homelessness

This guide, written by a school counselor, provides practical tips and strategies for supporting students experiencing homelessness, helping meet their basic needs, and planning for graduation.

Download the Counseling Staff Guide

Transition to Higher Education

FAFSA Form Templates for Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Determinations

This letter is designed to help verify the independent student status of unaccompanied homeless youth.

Download FAFSA Determination Letters

Two-Pager Fact Sheets on McKinney-Vento, Title I, and EHCY

What is the McKinney-Vento Act?

This resource explains the McKinney-Vento Act in detail and summarizes some of its core provisions.

McKinney-Vento Fact Sheet

Maximizing the Title I Set-Aside for Homeless Students: An Actionable Guide for Practitioners, Leaders, and Advocates

This guide explains how schools, districts and advocates can make the most of Title I, Part A funds to meet legal requirements, remove barriers, and improve outcomes for students experiencing homelessness.

Homeless Students Are Title I Students

2025 Fact Sheet: Educating Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness

An updated fact sheet on the PreK-12 education of children and youth experiencing homelessness.

EHCY Fact Sheet

Scholar Stories: Real Experiences, Practical Insights

Hear directly from SchoolHouse Connection Scholars about their journeys through homelessness and education. These short, powerful videos offer school staff an authentic look at the challenges students face — and the difference a caring, informed adult can make.

Use these stories in staff trainings, team meetings, or professional development. Examples include:

• Youth Discuss the Value of Education — Scholars express gratitude to educators and share why school stability matters.
• “I will never forget the way she saw me as a person.” — A scholar reflects on the life-changing impact of one teacher’s compassion.
• Now at Harvard After Experiencing Homelessness — How education and support opened doors to opportunity.
• Breaking the Cycle — Abbie shares how mentors helped her rewrite her future.
• A Message to School Staff — Practical advice from students on how to support those experiencing homelessness.

Be sure to click this icon in the upper-right corner of the video player for the full library!