All Students Deserve a Chance to Thrive
NAEHCY works to make this vision a reality by providing professional development, technical assistance, and advocacy support to educators, policymakers, and advocates at the federal, state, and local levels.
What We Do
NAEHCY is the premier membership organization dedicated to supporting professionals working directly with students experiencing homelessness. With a network of over 2,500 members representing the education, government, and nonprofit sectors, NAEHCY provides critical support, advocacy, and professional development opportunities to ensure that students experiencing homelessness receive the resources, educational equity, and opportunities to achieve academic excellence.
Supporting McKinney-Vento State Coordinators and Liaisons
NAEHCY’s rich history began with State Education Coordinators for Homeless Education, who envisioned an association with the capacity to enhance professional learning, best practice sharing, and camaraderie for leaders working on behalf of students experiencing homelessness.
Today, State McKinney-Vento Coordinators and Liaisons continue to play critical roles in ensuring compliance with federal McKinney-Vento requirements while providing direct support to students and families.
NAEHCY champions the direct support and advocacy led by Homeless Education professionals and advocates by offering:
- Professional Development Opportunities: Workshops, webinars, and an annual conference designed to equip members with the latest strategies and best practices for supporting youth.
- 1:1 Consulting Services: Personalized guidance on topics such as Homeless Education program implementation, resource coordination, and advocacy strategies.
- Policy and Advocacy Support: Assistance engaging with policymakers to advance educational equity for homeless youth.
- Scholarships: Awarding scholarships to students who have experienced homelessness who are furthering their educational interests through postsecondary education or areas such STEAM programming (Science, Math, Technology, and the Arts).
About McKinney-Vento Professionals
Every state and local school district in the United States is required to designate a McKinney-Vento Coordinator, as mandated by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. This federal law ensures that children and youth experiencing homelessness have equal access to the same free, appropriate public education as their housed peers.
At the state level, each State Education Agency must appoint a State Coordinator to oversee implementation and compliance. At the local level, every school district and charter school must designate a McKinney-Vento Liaison to identify students experiencing homelessness, ensure immediate enrollment, and connect families to necessary supports. With more than 17,000 school districts nationwide, this creates a powerful network of dedicated professionals working to protect the educational rights of vulnerable youth.
NAEHCY serves as the national membership organization for these professionals, uniting and supporting those committed to educational equity for students experiencing homelessness. We are deeply grateful for the unwavering dedication of McKinney-Vento liaisons and State Coordinators across the country. Their leadership and advocacy make a lasting difference in the lives of the students and families they serve.