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Utah

McKinney-Vento Support for Utah School District Liaisons

We understand that as a McKinney-Vento liaison in Utah, you likely oversee multiple assignments within your district. With Utah's unique blend of urban growth and rural landscapes, our mission is to help you become the most effective liaison possible while optimizing your resource management.

Utah
student at desk

The Challenge in Utah

Utah presents a dynamic and rapidly growing landscape, marked by significant housing challenges in its urban areas and rural communities, all impacting student homelessness.

13,049 students were identified in the 2022-2023 school year; total enrollment was almost 700k; Utah'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 Utah, significantly impacting educational access and stability for homeless students. The state faces escalating home prices far outpacing wage growth.
 
  • Many students experience homelessness by living in doubled-up situations with others due to economic hardship. In the 2022-2023 school year, approximately 83.0% of identified homeless students in Utah were living in doubled-up residences.2
  • In urban areas, housing costs are high due to rapid population growth and constrained land availability. Homelessness is often more visible here, with students residing in emergency shelters or transitional housing.
  • Rural communities also face housing deficits. With fewer resources and limited new construction, families in these areas may rely more heavily on informal temporary housing or live in substandard conditions, making homelessness harder to identify and address.

Transportation

Limited and costly transportation options across Utah contribute significantly to chronic absenteeism and difficulties in school attendance for homeless students, posing a persistent barrier.
 
  • In urban centers like Salt Lake City, Provo, and Ogden, 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 distant 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.
student with sunflower

Utah's Native American Student Homelessness

Native American students in Utah face disproportionate homelessness, creating unique educational challenges.

  • 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 Utah identified 1.9% during the 2022-2023 school year, below the national average.

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How McKinney-Vento.org Supports Utah Liaisons

Streamlined Compliance

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

Utah

Why Utah 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

Robert Palmer, Education Specialist Utah State Board of Education
Phone: (801) 538-7629

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 Utah's Homeless Students?

Join the Utah 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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