The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is the primary piece of legislation related to the education of children and youth experiencing homelessness. Specific provisions ensure the enrollment, accessibility, and educational stability for students lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. McKinney-Vento Homeless Education supports students to reduce barriers to educational success.

The Every Students Succeeds Act (ESSA) authorizations for foster care students went into effect in 2017. We ensure DPS is in compliance with these federal guidelines but we have also worked to increase services to include resources and direct support. We can identify foster or kinship students in formalized out of home placement, which involves child welfare.

Title I, Part C, Education of Migratory Children is a national program designed to meet the unique needs of children of migratory agricultural workers. The program was established in 1966 by an amendment to Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. It provides both supplemental educational and support services.

The DPS Military-Connected program was developed as part of the Every Students Succeeds Act (ESSA). A section of the re-authorization includes adding a military identifier number to students with parents on active duty in the armed forces. We can identify military-connected students and provide supplemental school readiness items as well as emergency basic needs. We can also serve as a resource navigator and liaison between school and home.