Skip to content
Arkansas

McKinney-Vento Support for Arkansas School District Liaisons

We understand that as a McKinney-Vento liaison in Arkansas, you likely oversee multiple functions within your district. From the Ozark Mountains to the Arkansas Delta, our mission is to help you become the most effective liaison possible while optimizing your community partnerships.

Arkansas
student at desk

The Challenge in Arkansas

Arkansas presents a diverse landscape for addressing student homelessness, encompassing growing urban centers like Northwest Arkansas and vast rural regions. The state faces a significant affordable housing shortage impacting many families.

17,148 students were identified in the 2022-2023 school year; total enrollment was almost 500k; Arkansas' identification rate for students experiencing homelessness was at 3.5%.1

Housing

A lack of safe, affordable, and stable housing is a pervasive struggle across Arkansas, significantly impacting educational access and stability for homeless students. There is a statewide shortage of affordable rental homes, especially for extremely low-income households, leading to severe cost burdens for many.
 
  • Many students experience homelessness by living in doubled-up situations with others due to economic hardship. In the 2022-2023 school year, 86.4% of those identified were living in doubled-up situations.2
  • In urban areas rapid population growth, particularly in Northwest Arkansas, has led to significantly higher housing costs and rising rents. While services may be concentrated here, the increased demand creates visibility for homelessness.
  • Rural communities face challenges where homelessness is often more "hidden" due to a lack of formal shelter systems and the vastness of these areas. Families frequently rely on informal networks or may live in substandard conditions, complicating identification and outreach efforts.

Transportation

Limited and costly transportation options across Arkansas contribute significantly to chronic absenteeism and difficulties in school attendance for homeless students. This is a persistent barrier in urban, suburban, and rural communities alike.
 
  • In urban centers like Little Rock, Fayetteville, and Fort Smith, challenges can include the expense of public transit, navigating complex transportation networks, and managing long commutes to maintain school stability, particularly for students whose temporary housing is far from their school of origin.
  • In rural areas, the primary obstacles are the lack of public transportation options and vast distances between temporary residences and schools. Reliance on limited school bus routes or the absence of city systems compounds barriers to consistent school attendance, often requiring school districts to employ creative solutions.

Did you know?

The national average of children and youth identified as experiencing homelessness is 3% of students enrolled in public education.3 Arkansas identified 3.5% during the 2022-2023 school year, slightly above the average.

people looking at board

How McKinney-Vento.org Supports Arkansas Liaisons

Streamlined Compliance

We help you meet federal regulations with up-to-date checklists, policy templates, and annual audit preparation tailored for Arkansas schools.

Enhanced Identification: Your "Army of Awareness"

Custom training materials and awareness campaigns adapted for rural and urban districts help staff recognize housing insecurity early.

Comprehensive Training

Live webinars and on-demand modules-covering trauma-informed practices, transportation logistics, and rural outreach-available year round.

Data Management and Funding Support

Tools to track students, manage eligibility, and access local/federal funding (e.g., Title I, II) help boost resource allocation.

Expert Guidance and Advocacy Support

Subject Matter Experts with many years of McKinney-Vento implementation are ready to provide support on challenging cases, work through situations and help you connect with resources to support your work.
Testimonial

Success with McKinney-Vento.org

Personalized student care - cropped

 

 

Featured

“ As I changed school districts this last year, I have become more aware of the homelessness in the school systems. I have moved to a district with many newcomers and most have come with out parents or guardians. This information is very helpful. I am going to pay more attention to situations and help when needed. ”

Cynthia J.

Arkansas

Why Arkansas Districts Choose McKinney-Vento.org

check-mark McKinney-Vento Expertise

McKinney-Vento.org delivers specialized training and compliance tools for identifying and supporting students experiencing homelessness under federal education law.

 

check-mark Proven Results Since 2014

Our track record speaks for itself – from small rural districts to large urban systems, we've consistently delivered measurable improvements in homeless student support and educational stability.

 

check-mark The Only Turnkey Solution Available

Stop piecing together incomplete solutions. We provide the industry's only comprehensive, turnkey McKinney-Vento implementation system designed specifically for today's educational environment.

State Coordinator Contact

Sara Squires, Homeless/McKinney-Vento Public School Program Advisor, Office of Federal Programs
Phone: (501) 371-3471

Citations

1,2,3 Child and Youth Homelessness Data Profiles powered by University of Michigan Poverty Solutions and SHC
 https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/schoolhouseconnection/viz/ChildandYouthHomelessnessDataProfiles/National 

Ready to Better Support Arkansas' Homeless Students?

Join the growing number of Arkansas districts using McKinney-Vento.org to identify and serve the thousands of students doubled up in overcrowded homes across our state.

We'll help you find the funding and build internal support to make this program successful in your district.

Book your personalized demo
Liaison Portal