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Tennessee

McKinney-Vento Support for Tennessee School District Liaisons

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

Tennessee
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The Challenge in Tennessee

Tennessee presents a dynamic landscape for addressing student homelessness, encompassing major urban centers like Nashville and Memphis, and vast rural regions. The state faces increasing housing costs that significantly impact families across its diverse areas.

22,567 students were identified in the 2022-2023 school year; total enrollment was slightly over 1 million; Tennessee's identification rate for students experiencing homelessness was at 2.2%.1

Housing

A lack of safe, affordable, and stable housing is a pervasive struggle across Tennessee, significantly impacting educational access and stability for homeless students. The state's housing supply has not kept pace with demand, leading to increasingly expensive costs.
  • 76.5% of identified students experiencing homelessness in Tennessee were living in doubled-up situations with others due to loss of housing or economic hardship, making them often hidden from public view.2
  • In urban areas housing markets have become more competitive. While these centers concentrate services, high demand and rising prices create affordability challenges for many families, with students residing in shelters, motels, or transitional housing.
  • Rural areas are also experiencing increasing housing pressures as population shifts from urban centers impact markets unprepared for growth. In some rural counties, home price growth has significantly outpaced income growth, leading to "hidden" homelessness and limited formal services.

Transportation

Limited and costly transportation options across Tennessee contribute significantly to chronic absenteeism and difficulties in school attendance for homeless students. This is a persistent barrier in urban, suburban, and rural communities alike.
 
  • In urban centers 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, affecting access to education, employment, and healthcare.

Did you know?

The national average of children and youth identified as experiencing homelessness is 3% of students enrolled in public education.3 Tennessee identified 2.2% during the 2022-2023 school year, below the national average.

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How McKinney-Vento.org Supports Tennessee Liaisons

Streamlined Compliance

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

Tennessee

Why Tennessee 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

Vanessa Waters, McKinney-Vento & Immigrant Coordinator Federal Programs & Oversight
Phone: (615) 917-3750

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 Tennessee's Homeless Students?

Join the Tennessee 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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