Educating and Empowering
NAEHCY is a leading, membership-based nonprofit dedicated to educational equity and excellence for children and youth experiencing homelessness and other vulnerabilities.
Founded in 1989 by educators, for educators, NAEHCY serves as a trusted national voice and convener for professionals working at the intersection of education, homelessness, and child welfare. Our members include school district liaisons, state education leaders, early childhood and postsecondary professionals, advocates, service providers, and others committed to removing barriers to education for vulnerable students.
Through our annual national conference, year-round professional development, policy advocacy, and strategic partnerships, we provide the knowledge, resources, and community needed to support students from early learning through postsecondary success.
NAEHCY remains steadfast in our mission: to ensure that every child and young person experiencing homelessness or other vulnerabilities has access to a quality education and the opportunity to thrive.
We invite you to watch our brief explainer video below by clicking on the image!
NAEHCY By the Numbers
Children in the U.S. (birth to 12th grade) identified as homeless in 2021-22*
School districts across the U.S., each with a McKinney-Vento Liaison*
Educators and advocates trained through NAEHCY since our founding in 1989
*Approximately, according to national data sources
McKinney-Vento Explained
Oftentimes, families experiencing homelessness and educators striving to support vulnerable youth encounter the term “McKinney-Vento” in association with potential assistance. But what does it mean, and how do families and educators seek help assisting students?
Features
February 21, 2025
A New Book by NAEHCY Board President Offers Support
For over 20 years, social worker and NAEHCY Board President Nicole Steward has dedicated her life to supporting others. But like many in the helping professions, this dedication came at a cost. Three times, Steward experienced burnout, each episode impacting her health significantly. The wake-up call came in the form of shingles, a stress-related illness,…