School Support Center

School-age children may qualify for certain rights and protections under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.

DOE resource for families website

If you live in any of the following situations:

• In a shelter

• On the beach, park, or campground

• In a motel or hotel

• In a car, abandoned building, or on the street

• Living temporarily with others due to loss of housing or economic hardship

• Inadequate living accommodations (collapsed house, lack of water or electricity)

• Unaccompanied youth experiencing any of the circumstances above (student NOT in the physical custody of a parent or legal guardian)

You may eligible for services, including:

• Transportation to and from school

• School supplies & school uniforms

• Referrals for housing, health care and food

• Referrals for other services

You also have the right to:

• Enroll immediately and attend classes

• Get help obtaining documents required for school enrollment

• Attend the same school or transfer to new home school

• Receive school meals

• Participate in school activities and programs

• The support of a Community Liaison

Schools can complete School Requests Forms to obtain funds to help support students in unstable housing attend school regularly.  Such requests may include funds for school uniforms, backpacks, personal hygiene supplies, school supplies, etc.)  The forms are available in either pdf or word versions.  Please contact the Community Homeless Concerns Liaison for the request form.

A new partnership with the Department of Education is Purposity.  Purposity is an app that allows Homeless Liaisons to anonymously posts needs of disadvantaged students.   Then the community (people who have signed up for the app) can view the posted needs and decide if they want to help that student by purchasing the item.  The purchase is tax deductible and you personally are helping the children in your own neighborhood.  The items are bought through Amazon and delivered to the Homeless Liaion’s office, who will then deliver it to the student and family.  Please encourage everyone you know to download the Purposity App and follow Hawaii Public Schools.  The more people involved the better, as we can spread more aloha and kindness to the children within our Hawaiian Islands.

If you would like more information on MVA, or may know a family in an unstable housing situation and would like some assistance.