Many families experiencing housing instability don't realize that their children have specific, powerful rights when it comes to school enrollment and services. Under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, students experiencing homelessness, including those who are couch-surfing, are entitled to immediate school enrollment and a range of protections.

WHO IS COVERED BY MCKINNNEY-VENTO?

The McKinney-Vento Act covers students who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This includes children who are: staying in shelters or motels, couch-surfing with friends or relatives, living in cars or parks, or sharing housing due to economic hardship.

KEY RIGHTS UNDER MCKINNNEY-VENTO

RIGHT TO IMMEDIATE ENROLLMENT: Schools must enroll children immediately, even if they lack documents normally required for enrollment, such as proof of residency, school records, or immunization records.

RIGHT TO SCHOOL OF ORIGIN: Children have the right to remain enrolled in their original school (the school they attended when they were last housed), even if they've moved to a different area.

RIGHT TO TRANSPORTATION: Schools must provide transportation to the school of origin for homeless students.

RIGHT TO COMPARABLE SERVICES: Students experiencing homelessness are entitled to the same services as other students, including free school meals, Title I services, and special education services.

RIGHT TO PRIVACY: Schools cannot disclose a student's housing situation without consent.

IF YOUR CHILD IS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS

You should contact your school district's McKinney-Vento liaison — every district is required to have one. If the school or district is not honoring your child's rights, Florida Rural Legal Services can help. FRLS provides free legal resources for families on FRLS.org.