The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law that protects the educational rights of children and youth experiencing homelessness. Reauthorized under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the law ensures that students experiencing housing instability have access to a free and appropriate public education.
Anthony ISD is committed to supporting students and families experiencing homelessness by helping ensure school enrollment, regular attendance, educational stability, and opportunities for academic success.
Who Qualifies as Homeless?
Under the McKinney-Vento Act, children and youth may qualify for support if they lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This includes students who are:
- Sharing housing with others due to financial hardship, loss of housing, or similar circumstances.
- Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or campgrounds due to a lack of adequate housing.
- Staying in emergency or transitional shelters.
- Living in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, public spaces, bus or train stations, or other places not intended for sleeping.
- Living in unsafe or inadequate housing conditions.
- Abandoned in hospitals.
- Migratory children and youth experiencing any of the housing situations listed above.
Melissa Leos
mleos@anthonyisd.net
Parent/ Community Engagement Leader,
Migrant Education Coordinator & McKinney-Vento Liason
Angie D. Arsola
adarsola@esc19.net
(915) 780-5316
ESC 19 McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Program Liason
