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North Dakota

McKinney-Vento Support for North Dakota School District Liaisons

We understand that as a McKinney-Vento liaison in North Dakota, you likely handle various responsibilities within your district. Serving one of the nation's most sparsely populated states, our mission is to help you become the most effective liaison possible while strengthening your support systems.

North Dakota
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The Challenge in North Dakota

North Dakota presents a diverse landscape for addressing student homelessness, encompassing growing urban centers and vast, predominantly rural and agricultural regions.

2,254 students were identified in the 2022-2023 school year; total enrollment was almost 120k; North Dakota's identification rate for students experiencing homelessness was at 1.9%.1

Housing

A lack of safe, affordable, and stable housing is a pervasive struggle across North Dakota, significantly impacting educational access and stability for homeless students. The state faces a critical housing shortage, especially for entry-level and very low-income households.
 
  • Many students experience homelessness by living in doubled-up situations due to economic hardship. In the 2022-2023 school year, 80.5% of identified homeless students in North Dakota were living in doubled-up residences.2
  • In urban areas, despite strong housing growth and service concentration, many renters remain cost-burdened. Students may reside in emergency shelters, motels, or transitional housing, making homelessness more visible.
  • Rural communities face distinct challenges with aging housing stock and a critical shortage of new development. Homelessness here is often more "hidden" (e.g., relying on informal networks, living in vehicles), as formal services and shelters are extremely limited or nonexistent.

Transportation

Limited and costly transportation options across North Dakota contribute significantly to chronic absenteeism and difficulties in school attendance for homeless students, particularly given the state's vast distances and often challenging climate.
 
  • In urban centers like Fargo, Bismarck, and Grand Forks, challenges can include the expense of public transit, navigating complex transportation networks, and managing long commutes to maintain school stability when temporary housing is distant from school.
  • In rural areas, the primary obstacles are the severe 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 districts to seek creative solutions for student access.
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North Dakota's Native American Student Homelessness

Native American students in North Dakota face disproportionate homelessness, creating unique educational challenges. They represent a large portion of those identified as experiencing homelessness.

  • Hidden Homelessness: Cultural views of "home," historical mistrust, and stigma make identification difficult.
  • Rural/Reservation Barriers: Lack of shelters and limited services in these vast areas exacerbate the problem.
  • Culturally Responsive Support: Effective homeless education requires culturally competent outreach and strong tribal partnerships to build trust and provide meaningful assistance aligned with unique community needs.

The BIE Bureau of Indian Education and BIA Bureau of Indian Affairs coordinate efforts to ensure students in tribal communities have access to the educational supports and services they need.

Did you know?

The national average of children and youth identified as experiencing homelessness is 3% of students enrolled in public education.3  North Dakota identified 1.9% during the 2022-2023 school year.

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How McKinney-Vento.org Supports North Dakota Liaisons

Streamlined Compliance

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

North Dakota

Why North Dakota 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

Jen Withers, Assistant Director, Educational Improvement & Support
Phone: (701) 328-4612

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 North Dakota's Homeless Students?

Join the North Dakota 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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