Skip to content
Indiana

McKinney-Vento Support for Indiana School District Liaisons

We understand that as a McKinney-Vento liaison, you likely juggle multiple responsibilities within your district in Indiana. Our mission is to help you become the most effective liaison possible while making your complex job more manageable.

Indiana (1)
jeswin-thomas--hgJu2ykh4E-unsplash

The Challenge in Indiana

Indiana presents a diverse landscape for addressing student homelessness, encompassing major urban centers, sprawling suburban areas, and vast rural regions. The state faces a pervasive and increasing housing crisis, impacting thousands of students.

18,701 students were identified in the 2022-2023 school year; total enrollment was over 1 million; Indiana's identification rate for students experiencing homelessness was at 1.8%.1

Housing

A lack of safe, affordable, and stable housing is a pervasive struggle across Indiana, significantly impacting educational access and stability for homeless students. The state faces a critical shortage of affordable homes for its most vulnerable households.
 
  • Many students experience homelessness by living in doubled-up situations with others due to economic hardship. In 2022-2023 school year, 76.2% of those identified had this type of accommodation.2
  • In urban areas homelessness is increasing. These areas experience significant housing cost burdens, with thousands residing in shelters or struggling with the general housing market. Racial disparities are also notably high in urban homelessness.
  • Rural communities face distinct challenges with a limited and aging housing supply. New construction is slow due to high costs, and homelessness is often "hidden" as families rely on informal networks or live in substandard conditions, making identification and outreach more complex.

Transportation

Limited and costly transportation options across Indiana contribute significantly to chronic absenteeism and difficulties in school attendance for homeless students. 
 
  • In urban centers like Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and South Bend, 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 explore various solutions to ensure student access.

Did you know?

The national average of children and youth identified as experiencing homelessness is 3% of students enrolled in public education.3 Indiana identified 1.8% during the 2022-2023 school year, below the national average.

taylor-flowe-4nKOEAQaTgA-unsplash

How McKinney-Vento.org Supports Indiana Liaisons

Streamlined Compliance

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

Indiana

Why Indiana 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

Charie Gibson, Homeless Education Specialist
Phone: (317) 232-0957

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 Indiana's Homeless Students?

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

Or sign up for our Free Liaison Portal to access essential resources.

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