If you need access to services feel free to contact our SAU 19 Home/School Liaison
Tori Underwood
(603) 660-5762
The McKinney-Vento Act states homeless children and youth are those that lack a fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence.
The McKinney-Vento Act provides certain rights and protection for children and youth experiencing homelessness. SAU 19 has adequate resources and policies in place (see Policy JFABD and JRA) to accommodate the needs of every student as well as an appointed McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison to provide homeless students with any necessary assistance. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Tori Underwood, SAU Homeless Liaison, at
A student is considered “homeless” if they lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including:
- Sharing housing due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason
- Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, camping grounds due to a lack of alternative, adequate accommodation
- Living in emergency & transitional shelters
- Abandoned in hospitals
- Living in public or private places not designed for or ordinarily used as regular sleeping accommodations for human beings
- Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, bus, or train stations or similar situations
- Migratory children living in the above situations
Know your educational rights! Under the federal McKinney-Vento Act, children and youth in homeless situations have the right to:
- Enroll in school immediately, even if missing records and documents normally required for enrollment such as a birth certificate, proof of residence, previous school records or immunization / medical records
- Enroll, attend classes, and participate fully in all school activities while the school gathers records
- Attend either the local school or the “school of origin”, if this is in the best interest of the student. The “school of origin” is the school the student attended when they were permanently housed or the school in which the student was last enrolled
- Receive transportation to and from the “school of origin” if in the best interest of the student
- Have access to the same programs and services that are available to all other students
- Free breakfast and lunch for the school year
Privacy: Information about a child or youth’s living situation shall be treated as student education record and shall not be deemed directory information under section 1232g of title 20. (FERPA) Please see Policy JRA
Resources for families:
NHED: Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program | Department of Education
Department of Education NCHE – National Center for Homeless Education
McKinney-Vento Law: 42 USC CHAPTER 119, SUBCHAPTER VI, Part B: Education for Homeless Children and Youths
Children and Youth List of District Liaisons: Homeless Liaison Contacts 2025-2026
State Coordinator: Christina Dotson, NHED
603-271-3840
JFABD - Admission of Homeless Children and Unaccompanied Youth.pdf