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South Carolina

McKinney-Vento Support for South Carolina School District Liaisons

We understand that as a McKinney-Vento liaison in South Carolina, you likely handle diverse duties within your district. Serving students across South Carolina's mix of coastal communities and inland regions, our mission is to help you become the most effective liaison possible while strengthening your effectiveness.

South Carolina
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The Challenge in South Carolina

South Carolina presents a diverse landscape for addressing student homelessness, spanning dynamic urban centers, vast rural areas, and coastal communities.

13,483 students were identified in the 2022-2023 school year; total enrollment was almost 790k; South Carolina's identification rate for students experiencing homelessness was at 1.7%.1

Housing

A lack of safe, affordable, and stable housing is a pervasive struggle across South Carolina, 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 or loss of housing. In the 2022-2023 school year, 53% of identified homeless students in South Carolina were doubled-up.2
  • In urban areas, while there may be a higher concentration of services and shelters, homelessness can also be more visible, with students residing in emergency shelters or transitional housing.
  • Rural areas face distinct challenges where homelessness is often more "hidden" due to limited resources, shelters, and services, making identification and outreach more complex. Families frequently rely on informal networks or may live in substandard, unsheltered conditions.
  • Coastal communities, including Charleston, Myrtle Beach, and Hilton Head, experience escalating rents driven by tourism and second-home demand, pushing service-sector families into precarious living situations like doubled-up arrangements and motels. These areas are also vulnerable to climate change impacts like sea-level rise and flooding, disproportionately affecting affordable housing.

Transportation

Limited and costly transportation options across South Carolina contribute significantly to chronic absenteeism and difficulties in school attendance for homeless students.
 
  • In urban areas like Charleston, Greenville, and Columbia, challenges can include the expense of public transit, navigating complex transportation networks, and long commutes across large metropolitan areas 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 sheer lack of public transportation options and vast distances between temporary residences and schools. Reliance on limited school bus routes that may not flexibly accommodate students' fluctuating living situations compounds barriers to consistent school attendance.
  • Coastal storms and river flooding events can damage housing stock and force mid-year moves, further straining transportation resources and access to education for displaced students.

Did you know?

The national average of children and youth identified as experiencing homelessness is 3% of students enrolled in public education.3  South Carolina identified 1.7% during the 2022-2023 school year, below the national average.

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How McKinney-Vento.org Supports South Carolina Liaisons

Streamlined Compliance

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

South Carolina

Why South Carolina 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

Birley Wright, McKinney-Vento State Coordinator
Phone: (803) 734-8563

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 South Carolina's Homeless Students?

Join the South Carolina 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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