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Virginia

McKinney-Vento Support for Virginia School District Liaisons

We understand that as a McKinney-Vento liaison in Virginia, you likely manage multiple roles within your district. With districts serving diverse students, our mission is to help you become the most effective liaison possible while strengthening your daily operations.

Virginia
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The Challenge in Virginia

Virginia presents a diverse landscape for addressing student homelessness, from its densely populated Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads urban corridors to its vast, often sparsely populated rural and mountainous regions.

19,475 students were identified in the 2022-2023 school year per National Center for Homeless Education; total enrollment was 1.26 million; Virginia's identification rate for students experiencing homelessness was at 1.5%.1

Housing

A lack of safe, affordable, and stable housing is a pervasive struggle across Virginia, significantly impacting educational access and stability for homeless students.
 
  • 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, motels, or transitional housing.
  • Rural areas including the Shenandoah Valley and Southwest Virginia, face distinct challenges due to limited resources, fewer shelters, and minimal support services, often making homelessness more "hidden," with families frequently relying on informal networks or living in substandard, unsheltered conditions.
  • 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, it was 68.4% of those identified.2

Transportation

Limited and costly transportation options across Virginia contribute significantly to chronic absenteeism and difficulties in school attendance for homeless students.
 
  • In urban centers,  like Richmond, Virginia Beach, and Arlington, challenges can include the expense of public transit, long commutes across districts to maintain school stability, and navigating transportation networks.
  • In rural areas, the primary obstacles are often the sheer lack of public transportation options, vast distances between temporary residences and schools, and reliance on limited school bus routes that may not flexibly accommodate students' fluctuating living situations.

Did you know?

The national average of children and youth identified as experiencing homelessness is 3% of students enrolled in public education.3  Virginia identified 1.5% during the 2022-2023 school year.

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Virginia McKinney-Vento Resources

check-mark Project Hope - Virginia (VDOE Homeless Education Program)

check-mark Virginia Homeless Solutions Program (VHSP)

check-mark  Virginia Continuum of Care (Balance of State, Western Virginia)

check-mark Virginia 211 - dial 2-1-1 or search for services

How McKinney-Vento.org Supports Virginia Liaisons

Streamlined Compliance

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

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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.

Virginia

Why Virginia 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

Dr. Patricia Popp, Homeless Education Coordinator
Phone: (757) 221-7776
E-mail: homlss@wm.edu 

Citations

1,2,3 Child and Youth Homelessness Data Profiles powered by University of Michigan Poverty Solutions and SHC
 

Ready to Better Support Virginia's Homeless Students?

Join the Virginia 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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