SchoolHouse Connection
SchoolHouse Connection works to overcome homelessness through education. We believe education is the only permanent solution to homelessness. Our vision is that children and youth experiencing homelessness have full access to quality learning, birth through higher education, so they will never be homeless as adults, and the next generation will never be homeless. Learn MoreBelow you will find resources on homelessness, from early childhood to higher education. Browse real-world questions from educators, service providers, and the public about the education of children and youth experiencing homelessness.
How to Contact your McKinney-Vento Liaison
Under the McKinney-Vento Act, every local educational agency is required to designate a liaison for homeless children and youth. The local educational agency liaison coordinates services to ensure that homeless children and youths enroll in school and have the opportunity to succeed academically.
Click HERE to find the contact information of your local homeless education liaison.
Note: This contact information may change frequently due to staff turnover. If you have problems finding the right school district homeless liaison, please contact your state homeless education coordinator.
Early Childhood
Infants are at greater risk of living in homeless shelters than any other age group in the United States. Early childhood programs prevent the harmful life-long effects of homelessness on education, health and well-being.
PreK - 12
In the 2014-15 school year, public schools identified more than 1.2 million homeless students. Schools provide basic needs, caring adults, stability, normalcy, and the skills to avoid homelessness as adults.
Higher Education
The majority of well-paying jobs created today require at least a Bachelor’s degree. A college degree is increasingly necessary to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness, and live a healthy, productive life.
Unaccompanied Youth
Unaccompanied homeless youth are young people experiencing homelessness who are not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian. 4.2 million youth and young adults experience homelessness each year. The highest risk factor for youth homelessness is the lack of a high school diploma or GED.
Common Questions
There are many common questions about children and youth who are experiencing homelessness. Schoolhouse Connection has compiled some of the questions we hear the most.
Q & A From Our Inboxes
We receive many questions from educators, service providers, and the public about the education of children and youth experiencing homelessness. We feature some of them here. Please contact us with any questions you may have.