District Homeless Liaison
April D. Williams
Phone: 252-257-3751 Extension 6228
​Email: awilliams@warrenk12nc.org

State Coordinator
Lisa Phillips
Phone: 336-316-7491

McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act In January of 2002, Congress authorized the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to help people experiencing homelessness. The federal law includes the McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program. This program assists children in removing barriers for a successful education who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime. The McKinney-Vento Act defines homeless children and youth as those who lack a “fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence,” and includes children and youth doubling up temporarily with family or friends: living in a shelter, motel, vehicle, camping grounds, or temporary trailer; living on the street, or living in another type of temporary or inadequate housing. The McKinney-Vento Program also meets the needs of “a youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian”. Youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian and lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate residence are referred to as unaccompanied homeless youth. Youth who run away are also eligible for services even if the parent/guardian/caregiver wished the student to return home. Runaway youth and unaccompanied homeless youth are eligible to be enrolled immediately without a legal guardian.