The McKinney-Vento Act is federal legislation that has been in effect since 1987 to support children and youth experiencing homelessness. The McKinney-Vento Act defines “homeless children and youth” as individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence. The intent of the McKinney-Vento Act is to ensure that homeless children and youth enroll and succeed in school.
Students living in any of the following situations may be entitled to additional support:
- Staying in an emergency/transitional shelter, or waiting for foster care placement
- Doubled up with friends or relatives because of loss of housing or as a result of economic hardship
- Living in a car, park, campground, public space, substandard housing (w/o running water or electricity)
- In a motel/hotel due to loss of housing, economic hardship
- Unaccompanied Youth/Runaway
- In another location that is not appropriate for people such as an abandoned building
Students living in homeless situations have a right to:
- Get help with enrolling in school from the district liaison or other school contacts to continue academic success
- Continue in the school they attended (referred to as the school of origin) before they became homeless or the school they last attended, if that is the parent’s choice and is feasible
- Get transportation to and from school of origin
- Receive free school meals
- Receive additional services such as ELL, Special Education, Title I, preschool, Elementary Advanced
- Program (EAP), career/technical education
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Contact Information
For more information about Northshore School District’s Homeless Services, or to request specific support for a homeless student, visit your neighborhood school or contact the district homeless liaison.
Northshore School District
Dr. Christopher Bigelow
Homeless Liaison and Director of Student Services
425.408.7726
cbigelow@nsd.org
Additional information about homeless services is available through:
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
Melinda Dyer
Program Manager, Homeless Children and Youth
360.725.6050
Melinda.dyer@k12.wa.us
Additional Resources
Contacts – State Agencies:
Sheila Ammons
Early Childhood Special Education (OSPI)
Sheila.ammons@k12.wa.us
360.725.6075
Jennifer Jennings-Shaffer
Head Start State Collaboration Office (DEL)
Jennifer.jennings-shaffer@del.wa.gov
360.725.4940
Melinda Dyer
McKinney-Vento Program (OSPI)
Melinda.dyer@k12.wa.us
360.725.6050
Karen Walker
Infant Toddler Early Intervention Program (DSHS)
Karen.walker@del.wa.gov
360.725.3500
Financial Help and Temporary Assistance:
Hopelink-Kirkland/Northshore (food, emergency housing, ELL, job training etc.)
11011120th AVE NE
Kirkland,WA 98033
425.889.7880
hopelink@hope-link.org
Friends of Youth (homeless services)
family resources center campus
16225NE87th ST
Suite A-6
Redmond, WA 98052
425.869.6490
Emergency Overnight Shelter (24 hour hotline) (ages 11-17)
206.236.KIDS (5437)
The Landing (YMCA Bellevue)
425.449.3868 (ages 18-24)
DSHS – King County (Emergency services, basic needs, employment help, etc.)
805156th AVE NE
N 40-1
Bellevue, WA 98007
1.877.501.2233
Salvation Army (homeless, abused, disadvantaged)
2525 Rucker AVE
Everett, WA 98201
425.259.8129
Health/Medical:
Northshore Public Health – (Women, Infant, Children Program – WIC) Nutritional Services
10808 NE 145th ST
Bothell, WA 98011-5226
206.296.9787
Evergreen Healthcare Access
Contact: Cheri Green to make an appointment
425.899.3211
Northshore Youth and Family Services (counseling, assessments, etc.)
10309 NE 185th ST
Bothell, WA 98011
425.485.6541
Hotlines: (call 911 for immediate intervention)
Eastside Domestic Violence – 425.746.1940 (24 hour crisis line)
Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County – 425.252.2873 (24 hour hotline)
WA State Coalition Against Domestic Violence – 206.389.2515
King County Crisis Line – 206.461.3222
Youth Care (youth shelter for homeless and at-risk youth / ages 12-17) some services for 18 years and older –1.800.495.7802
Teen Link – 206.461.4922
Other Resources:
Eastside Legal Clinic (volunteer attorneys who will meet with you for 30 minutes for free) – 206.267.7070
Eastside Legal Assistance Program (ELAP) – legal assistance 425.747.7274
Spanish or Russian speaking only – 425.747.1663
Transportation needs – 425.943.6769 (Hopelink – mobility outreach)
Computer Literacy – 425.943.7568 or 943.7567 (Hopelink)
