The Colorado Department of Education

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Homeless Education Welcome Page

This webpage is designed to give an overview of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and the programs run through Title X, part C of No Child Left Behind in Colorado. The attached links offer specific resources and information for school district liaisons and other audiences to ensure access to a free and appropriate public education for homeless children and youth, and success in school once enrolled.

The Homeless Education program is authorized under Title VII-B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 USC 11431 et seq.). The McKinney-Vento Act was enacted to address the numerous barriers homeless children face in obtaining a free, appropriate public education. The program was originally authorized in 1987 and, most recently, reauthorized as Title X, Part C of the Federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. The Act ensures educational rights and protections for children and youth experiencing homelessness including the following:

  • The right to immediate enrollment in school, even if lacking paperwork normally required for enrollment.
  • The right to attend school in his/her school of origin (if this is requested by the parent and is feasible) or if the school in the attendance area where the family or youth is currently residing.
  • The right to receive transportation to his/her school of origin, if this is requested by the parent.
  • The right to services comparable to those received by household schoolmates, including transportation and supplemental educational services.
  • The right to attend school along with children not experiencing homelessness.  Segregation based on a student's status as homeless is strictly prohibited.
  • The posting of homeless students rights in all schools and other places around the community.

McKinney-Vento Education of Homeless Children & Youth RFP Now Available!


The McKinney-Vento Education of Homeless Children & Youth Request For Proposal (RFP) is now available. The intent of the grant program is to remove all educational barriers facing children and youth experiencing homelessness, with emphasis on educational enrollment, attendance and success.

Approximately $490,000 is available for the 2013-2014 school year. Based on available funding, established need and quality of the proposal, three-year grants will be awarded, ranging up to $40,000 per year for LEAs and $45,000 per year for BOCES. Proposals will be due on Wednesday, May 1, 2013.

 

Click on the links below for RFP documents and supplemental materials:

RFP Supplemental Documents

For more information on McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Programs, please contact:
Dana Scott at (303) 866-6930 or e-mail:  scott_d@cde.state.co.us