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Idaho

McKinney-Vento Support for Idaho School District Liaisons

We understand that as a McKinney-Vento liaison in Idaho, you likely handle various responsibilities within your district. With school districts serving students across the state's mountainous terrain and rural communities, our mission is to help you become the most effective liaison possible while enhancing your outreach effectiveness.

Idaho
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The Challenge in Idaho

Idaho presents a unique landscape for addressing student homelessness, from its more concentrated urban areas to vast, sparsely populated rural and mountainous regions.

9,138 students were identified in the 2022-2023 school year; total enrollment was 312,900; Idaho's identification rate for students experiencing homelessness is at 2.9%.1

Housing

While urban areas like Boise and Meridian may show higher numbers of homelessness, this can sometimes be linked to the concentration of services and support, making the issue more visible. A lack of safe, affordable housing is a pervasive struggle across Idaho.
 
  • Rural areas face significant challenges due to limited resource, shelters, and support services, making homelessness more difficult to identify, quantify, and address effectively.
  • In the 2022-23 school year, over 75% of students identified as experiencing homelessness were living in doubled-up situations.2

Transportation

Urban areas in Idaho often have developed transportation systems, shorter school bus routes, and some access to alternative transportation options.
 
  • These resources are frequently non-existent or very limited in Idaho's vast rural and remote areas.
  • Bus routes in rural areas can be extremely long, increasing the complexity and cost of meeting transportation requirements to ensure students have access to school.
  • Lack of adequate transportation significantly contributes to chronic absenteeism, particularly for students experiencing homelessness.

Did you know?

The national average of children and youth identified as experiencing homelessness is 3% of students enrolled in public education.3  Idaho identified 2.9% during the 2022-2023 school year.

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Idaho McKinney-Vento Resources

check-mark Idaho State Department of Education (SDE) Homeless Education Program

check-mark Idaho Housing and Finance Association (IHFA)

check-mark Continuum of Care Networks (e.g., Boise City/Ada County CoC, Eastern Idaho CoC)

check-mark Idaho Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (housing and support resources)

check-mark Idaho Youth Ranch

check-mark 211 Idaho Care Line: dial 2-1-1 or 800-926-2588

How McKinney-Vento.org Supports Idaho Liaisons

Streamlined Compliance

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

Enhanced Identification: Your "Army of Awareness"

Custom training materials and awareness campaigns adapted for rural and urban Idaho 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.

Idaho

Why Idaho 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

Emily Kesler, State Coordinator for Homeless Education Programs
Phone: (208) 332-6904

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 Idaho's Homeless Students?

Join the Idaho 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.

Book your personalized demo
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