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Connecticut

McKinney-Vento Support for Connecticut School District Liaisons

We understand that as a McKinney-Vento liaison in Connecticut, you likely handle various responsibilities within your district. With school districts serving students from Hartford to New Haven and throughout the state, our mission is to help you become the most effective liaison possible while enhancing your service coordination.

Conneticut
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The Challenge in Connecticut

Connecticut presents a diverse and challenging landscape for addressing student homelessness, encompassing densely populated urban centers, suburban communities, and coastal regions facing environmental threats. The state is experiencing an historic rise in homelessness.

5,093 students were identified in the 2022-2023 school year; total enrollment was over 510k; Connecticut's identification rate for students experiencing homelessness was at 1.0%.1

Housing

A lack of safe, affordable, and stable housing is a pervasive struggle across Connecticut, significantly impacting educational access and stability for homeless students. 
 
  • Many students experience homelessness by living in doubled-up situations with others due to economic hardship. In the 2022-2023 school year, approximately 65.0% of identified students experiencing homelessness were living in doubled-up residences, with 20.7% in hotels/motels.2
  • In urban areas, homelessness can be more visible. Students may reside in emergency shelters or transitional housing. These communities often have a greater reliance on public transportation and face unique funding challenges.
  • Coastal communities, are vulnerable to rising housing prices and demand from vacation rentals inflate costs and limit year-round supply, making housing unaffordable for many essential local workers. These areas also face increasing threats from rising sea levels and tidal flooding.

Transportation

Limited and costly transportation options across Connecticut contribute significantly to chronic absenteeism and difficulties in school attendance for homeless students. Transportation remains a large household expense, with a heavier burden on those with lower-incomes.
 
  • In urban centers like Hartford, New Haven, and Bridgeport, 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 other areas, reliance on personal vehicles is higher. Federal funding policies that might prioritize car-dependent communities could disadvantage communities with greater racial diversity, higher poverty rates, and higher use of public transit, further increasing existing divisions within the state.

Did you know?

The national average of children and youth identified as experiencing homelessness is 3% of students enrolled in public education.3 Connecticut identified 1.0% during the 2022-2023 school year, way below the national average.

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How McKinney-Vento.org Supports Connecticut Liaisons

Streamlined Compliance

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

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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.

Connecticut

Why Connecticut 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

Louis B. Tallarita, Education Consultant Office of Student Supports & Organizational Effectiveness
Phone: (860) 807-2058
 

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 Connecticut's Homeless Students?

Join the growing number of Connecticut districts using McKinney-Vento.org to navigate the housing crisis and ensure educational stability for all students.

We'll help you find the funding and build internal support to make this program successful in Connecticut's challenging housing market.

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