1) What is the definition of a homeless child/youth?
According to federal law (McKinney Vento Sec. 725), and the TEA state plan for homeless children and youth, children/youth who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence are considered homeless. This includes children and youth who sleep at night:

• In a shelter (including runaway youth shelters and domestic violence shelters);
• In a shelter awaiting institutionalization, adoption, foster care, or other placement;
• In a car, tent, an abandoned building, or other place, public or private, not ordinarily used as a sleeping accommodation for human beings;
• In a motel, hotel, trailer parks, or camping grounds, bus or train stations
• In the home of a relative or a friend, due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason
• In transitional, temporary housing. (i.e., rent paid by local service providers)
• Migrant students who qualify as homeless because they are living in circumstances described above

2) Can schools refuse to enroll a homeless child/youth?
According to federal law (McKinney Vento), homeless students are to be enrolled immediately. Any dispute regarding their homeless status is to be resolved after enrollment. No proof is required. Homeless students living or not living with their parent or guardian may enroll themselves in school. The section of the McKinney Act, known as the school choice provision, requires that each homeless child be allowed to maintain enrollment in the school the child attended before becoming homeless, or to enroll in the school where the child is now located while experiencing homelessness. Students may enroll in their "school or origin", even if they no longer reside in that school's attendance zone. "School of origin" is defined as "the school the child attended when permanently housed, or the school in which the child was last enrolled". Inability to prove residency cannot be used to deny educational services for a homeless student.

3) What kinds of school district services are available?
Student experiencing homeless are eligible for school district services available to all eligible students. There are two special services for homeless students. All local ISDs must provide transportation assistance to homeless students, to their school of origin (the school the student was attending at the time he/she became homeless or the school in the attendance zone where the student currently resides). Homeless students and/or parents/guardians must be informed of their right to transportation, and assisted with transportation even if it is out of district. Project HELP is available to assist with arrangements when necessary. The goal is to keep students in a consistent academic setting. Homeless students qualify for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program due to their living status. Free meals are to be available to homeless students immediately. Be sure to contact the free lunch representative or Project HELP, to insure quick access.