Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Title IX, Part A McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
McKinney-Vento Contact Information
Office of Federal and State Accountability
McKinney-Vento State Coordinator
Birley Wright
849 Learning Lane
West Columbia, SC 29172
Phone: 803-734-8563
Email: bwright@ed.sc.gov
McKinney-Vento Education Associate
Kim Humphrey
Phone: 803-734- 3759
Email: khumphrey@ed.sc.gov
McKinney-Vento Program
Title IX, Part A McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (McKinney-Vento) is authorized by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015. McKinney-Vento ensures that students who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence due to loss of housing due to economic hardship or a similar reason are provided a free, public education. McKinney-Vento Act ensures the educational rights and protection for children and youth experiencing homelessness and includes:
- The right to immediate enrollment in school even without giving a permanent address
- The right to attend school and fully participate in school activities in the school of origin, or in the school in the attendance area where the family or youth is currently residing
- The right to receive transportation to and from the school of origin
- The right to services comparable to those received by housed schoolmates
- The right to attend school along with children not experiencing homelessness
The SCDE MV program office provides training, technical assistance, and monitoring, to all school districts. In addition, the SCDE MV Program office oversees the Education Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) federal funding that is awarded through a competitive grant process to support school district McKinney-Vento programs. South Carolina school districts identified 17,529 McKinney-Vento students during the 2024-25 academic year. Every school district is required to have a McKinney-Vento liaison to identify and assist students and their families with immediate enrollment and services.
Liaison List
South Carolina McKinney-Vento Data
Click here to see the most recent South Carolina Data
Quick Resources
The McKinney-Vento Act provides rights and services to children and youth experiencing homelessness. This section summarizes some of the McKinney-Vento Act’s core provisions.
There are many common questions about children and youth who are experiencing homelessness. We have complied relevant documents that have answered some of the questions we hear the most.
The following documents will provide information and resources to improve identification and assist schools with identifying children and youth experiencing homelessness.
Local liaisons can benefit from additional resources and training regarding McKinney-Vento. There are options available to assist in live and recorded webinars and additional toolkits.
School professionals can acquire specific knowledge regarding serving McKinney-Vento students, as well as, build coalitions to help strengthen resiliency in this population of youth.
Parents and Caregivers can acquire specific knowledge regarding McKinney-Vento rights and programs available to them as they navigate how to receive services. A multi-tiered approach is the best way to minimize the impact from this transitional period.
The McKinney-Vento Act guarantees educational rights and support for students experiencing homelessness, this includes specific support for unaccompanied youth.
McKinney-Vento students should be afforded the right to pursue graduation and post-secondary options. Due to the nature of their situation, students can qualify for services and resources to assist with this transition.
- SC Report Card Data: The Report Card website provides information on South Carolina's school districts, including school ratings and other useful information such as school safety, classroom environment, graduation rate, student academic progress, and college and career readiness and additional academic information. Chronic Absenteeism can be found in the School Climate section.
Community resources and connections are important for vulnerable students and their families. South Carolina has multiple organizations that seek to assist families as they navigate school and life through this time of transition.
