Student Welfare
McKinney-Vento Program Overview
This program supports families who meet the eligibility criteria under the McKinney-Vento Act, a federal law designed to ensure every student has equal access to education, regardless of their housing situation.
Who qualifies?
The term “homeless children and youth” refers to students who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This includes those who are:
- Sharing housing due to loss of housing or financial hardship
- Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or campgrounds
- Staying in emergency or transitional shelters
- Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, or inadequate housing
Support Services
Our department works closely with campus staff and other district teams to ensure students have access to:
- Immediate school enrollment
- School nutrition services
- Transportation assistance to their school of origin
- Individualized student support
- Participation in school-wide programs
- Guidance and planning for school transitions
Legal Protections for Students in Transitional Living Situations
Students experiencing homelessness are protected by both federal and state laws that ensure their right to a free, appropriate public education. These laws require school districts to remove barriers to enrollment, attendance, and success in school.
Federal Law: McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
The McKinney-Vento Act, originally passed in 1987 and most recently reauthorized in 2015 through the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), provides vital protections for students who are experiencing homelessness.
Resources
The Texas Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program (TEHCY) provides direction and leadership on the implementation of state and federal guidance regarding program services for McKinney-Vento eligible students. All Texas public schools and charter schools must follow federal rules concerning the education of homeless students as detailed in the McKinney-Vento Act. The TEHCY portal has valuable information for educators and McKinney-Vento liaisons regarding serving students experiencing homelessness.
Contact Us
| Name | Title | Email Address | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yadira Coggins | Director of Student Welfare & McKinney-Vento Liaison | Yadira.Coggins@risd.org | 469-593-9136 |
| Deissy Hernandez Duque | McKinney-Vento Intake Specialist | Deissy.HernandezDuque@risd.org | 469-593-9135 |
| Kaoutar Ouahi | Student Welfare Enrollment Specialist | Kaoutar.Ouahi@risd.org | 469-593-9122 |
| Desiree Alarcon | Student Welfare Specialist | Desiree.Alarcon@risd.org | 469-593-9119 |
| Anila Shah | Student Welfare Specialist | Anila.Shah@risd.org | 469-593-9124 |