The National Center for Homeless Education and the Legal Center for Foster Care and Education present this brief to help educators and child welfare advocates work together to support the academic success of children and youth in out-of-home care. The brief offers practical, proven strategies for implementing two federal laws collaboratively: The…

Middle and high school students experiencing homelessness often face challenges in accruing credits. Class offerings, methods of calculating credits, and graduation requirements can vary greatly among school districts. Students who change schools late in high school can find themselves suddenly in danger of not graduating due to differing class…

The Legal Center for Foster Care and Education and the National Center for Homeless Education present this guide to help educators and child welfare advocates clear the path to school success for children and youth who are forced to leave their homes due to abuse, neglect, and family dysfunction. Two federal laws, among others, provide tools to…

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is the main federal program concerning the education of children and youth experiencing homelessness. It provides federal funding to states, which then distribute the funds to their school districts through a competitive application process; the funds are used to ensure that children and youth…

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guarantees rights and services for children and youth with special needs. This Q&A brief provides basic information about IDEA and specific ways the law applies to homeless and highly mobile students with special needs. In addition, the brief provides strategies recommended by homeless…

Children and youth in homeless situations, particularly unaccompanied youth and survivors of domestic violence, are at a high risk for experiencing violence and victimization. Frequently, unaccompanied youth become homeless after leaving abusive or destructive home environments. In turn, their homelessness, which often involves "couch surfing"…

The process of immigrating to the United States is full of stressors, both prior to and after arrival, that are unique to immigrants. Even immigrants who are well-educated and professionally credentialed often experience an initial drop in their status and earnings while they improve their English skills, re-take courses, and pass licensing exams…

School offers structure, stability, and support to children and youth displaced by disasters. The 2005 Gulf Coast hurricanes demonstrated the powerful role that schools can play in helping displaced children overcome the traumas they experience and regain their academic, social, and emotional footing. The school response to the 2005 hurricanes…

Housing plays a central role in the lives of families; it is the largest single cost for most families, and its location determines a parent's access to employment and a child's access to education. Lack of affordable housing is a principal cause of homelessness. A housing agency and school district that collaborate to offer affordable housing…