McKinney-Vento HEART-Program for Homeless Students

Central Valley, East Valley and West Valley School Districts work together through the McKinney-Vento HEART Program to support the educational needs of students who find themselves in temporary or transitional housing during the school year. We work together to ensure educational stability for students in short-term, temporary and transitional housing situations so they feel supported and encouraged while they secure permanent housing. The HEART Program also works closely with all area school districts in Spokane County and Kootenai County (Idaho) to create a region-wide network to support students in short-term, transitional and temporary housing situations.

The McKinney-Vento Education of Homeless Children and Youth Assistance Act is a federal law that ensures immediate enrollment and educational stability for homeless children and youth. McKinney-Vento provides federal funding to states for the purpose of supporting district programs that serve homeless students.

• In "doubled-up" situations, staying in the home of another person, relatives or friends, due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason;
• Living in motels, hotels, RV’s, campers or tents, in parks, or campgrounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations;
• Living in emergency, temporary or transitional shelters;
• Have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as regular sleeping accommodations for human beings, such as living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings;
• Youth not residing with legal parent or guardian; and
• Runaways.

• School Districts must provide educational stability for students in temporary and transitional housing situations.
• School Districts must provide immediate access to school for students in temporary and transitional housing situations.
• School Districts must appoint a liaison for students in temporary and transitional housing situations.
• School Districts must serve students in temporary and transitional housing situations with Title 1 Funds.