Answer: Yes. Students who are not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian, also called
unaccompanied youth, are protected under the McKinney-Vento Act, when the student also does not have stable, adequate and regular nighttime residence. This includes youth who have run away from home, have been kicked out of their homes, or have been abandoned by parents.
Every school district has someone who specifically works with students experiencing homelessness. This person is called a
McKinney-Vento liaison, and they are there to help and must make an extra effort to help connect unaccompanied youth with the support and services they need to get and stay in school.