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Delaware

McKinney-Vento Support for Delaware School District Liaisons

We understand that as a McKinney-Vento liaison in Delaware, you likely oversee multiple functions within your district. From New Castle County to Sussex County and everywhere in between, our mission is to help you become the most effective liaison possible while optimizing your community connections.

Delaware
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The Challenge in Delaware

Delaware presents a compact yet diverse landscape for addressing student homelessness, encompassing urban areas, suburban communities, and coastal regions. The state faces a growing affordable housing crisis.

4,416 students were identified in the 2022-2023 school year; total enrollment was over 140k; Delaware's identification rate for students experiencing homelessness was at 3.1%.1

Housing

A lack of safe, affordable, and stable housing is a pervasive struggle across Delaware, significantly impacting educational access and stability for homeless students.  The state also faces a growing housing affordability crisis.
 
  • Many students experience homelessness by living in "doubled-up" situations, sharing housing with others due to economic hardship. These arrangements are the most common form of homelessness students encounter in Delaware represented by 78.6% of those identified in 2022-2023.2
  • In urban areas services are more concentrated, therefore homelessness can be more visible. Students may reside in emergency shelters, motels, or transitional housing, navigating high housing costs.
  • Rural and coastal communities also face housing pressures, with high average home values and challenges in housing supply. Homelessness in these areas can be "hidden," and unhoused young people may be missed by official counts, often residing in less conventional or substandard housing.

Transportation

Inconsistent and costly transportation options across Delaware contribute significantly to chronic absenteeism and difficulties in school attendance for homeless students. Access to reliable transportation remains a key barrier to education.
 
  • In urban centers like Wilmington and Dover, challenges can include the expense of public transit (where available), navigating routes, 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.

Did you know?

The national average of children and youth identified as experiencing homelessness is 3% of students enrolled in public education.3 Delaware identified 3.1% during the 2022-2023 school year.

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How McKinney-Vento.org Supports Delaware Liaisons

Streamlined Compliance

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

Delaware

Why Delaware 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

Ruth Uhey, 21st CCLC & McKinney-Vento Homeless Education State Coordinator
Phone: (302)857-3349

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 Delaware's Homeless Students?

Join the growing number of Delaware districts using McKinney-Vento.org to improve outcomes for students experiencing homelessness.

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

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