Letter from the President – September 2025

In 1987, the federal McKinney-Vento Act was passed. This law is designed to remove barriers to education that are the result of homelessness. By removing those barriers, there is an increase in the enrollment, attendance, and long-term success of children and youth experiencing homelessness.

The US Senate and House are currently considering whether to continue this law as it is, or to amend it, which could take away some of the rights of homeless children. And, while it appears at this point that both bodies will continue to support the law as it currently stands (more about that below), other bills they are considering reflect steep overall cuts, including 15% for the US Department of Education, which could indirectly negatively affect homeless youth and children.

Brief Background of McKinney Vento

The law clarifies the definition of homelessness as “lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.” This includes sharing housing of others (“doubling-up”); living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds; staying in emergency or transitional shelters; or sleeping in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, or similar settings.

The law requires schools to be proactive in identifying children and youth experiencing homelessness, and ensure that they obtain services that will assist them.

It is not unusual for a family to become homeless during a school year. If that happens, the law allows the child to attend the school where they moved to, or to continue to attend the school in the location where they became homeless – and, in the latter case, the “sending school district” is required to pay for transportation back to the original school.

Allowing a child to continue in the original school is important, and almost 100% of children in our programs choose that option, and for a good reason. Becoming homeless is traumatic enough without requiring a change of school as well. It allows the child to continue to be and study with friends with whom they have been together, and continue to participate in sports and other after-school activities.

And if the child opts to attend the new school, that district has to accept the child as soon as possible, so that there is little disruption in the child’s education.

What Can You Do?

Continued advocacy is needed. It is important that we protect these rights of youth and children who become homeless.

You can contact our US Senators for New Jersey as well as US Representatives that represent Bergen County, urging them to preserve the programs that protect early care and education programs supporting children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness, including the McKinney-Vento Act.

Paul R. Shackford
President of the Board of Trustees
Family Promise of Bergen County
September 12, 2025

Some of the background information contained in this letter is based on information prepared by SchoolHouse Connection, a national non-profit organization working to overcome homelessness through early care and education.