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Washington

McKinney-Vento Support for Washington School District Liaisons

We understand that as a McKinney-Vento liaison in Washington, you likely handle diverse duties within your district. From Seattle to Spokane and rural communities throughout the state, our mission is to help you become the most effective liaison possible while supporting your vital work.

Washington
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The Challenge in Washington

Washington presents a dynamic and challenging landscape for addressing student homelessness, encompassing densely populated urban areas, growing suburban communities, and vast rural areas.

43,871 students were identified in the 2022-2023 school year; total enrollment was almost 1.1 million; Washington's identification rate for students experiencing homelessness was at 4%.1

Housing

A lack of safe, affordable, and stable housing is a struggle across Washington, significantly impacting educational access and stability for homeless students. A majority of Washington households cannot afford the median-priced home.
 
  • Many students experience homelessness by living in doubled-up situations due to economic hardship. In Washington, 76.6% of identified homeless students were living doubled-up in 2022-2023.
  • In urban areas like Seattle, Spokane, and Tacoma, housing costs are exceptionally high due to land scarcity and growth policies. Homelessness is often more visible here, with students residing in emergency shelters, motels, or transitional housing.
  • Rural communities face challenges where homelessness is often "hidden" (e.g., couch surfing, living in vehicles) due to limited resources and fewer visible shelters, complicating identification and outreach. Unsheltered homelessness is also a significant concern in these regions.

Transportation

Limited and costly transportation options across Washington contribute significantly to chronic absenteeism and difficulties in school attendance for homeless students, a persistent barrier in all community types.
 
  • In urban centers, challenges include public transit expense, navigating complex networks, and managing long commutes to maintain school stability when temporary housing is distant from school. School districts often struggle with funding to provide required transportation.
  • In rural areas, primary obstacles are the  lack of public transportation and vast distances between residences and schools. Reliance on limited bus routes or absent city systems compounds barriers, often requiring districts to seek creative solution.

Did you know?

The national average of children and youth identified as experiencing homelessness is 3% of students enrolled in public education.3  Washington identified 4.0% during the 2022-2023 school year, above the national average.

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Washington McKinney-Vento Resources

check-mark Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (Student Homelessness)

check-mark Washington Office of Homeless Youth

check-mark  Washington Housing Assistance

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

How McKinney-Vento.org Supports Washington Liaisons

Streamlined Compliance

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

Washington

Why Washington 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

Melinda Dyer, Program Specialist Education of Homeless Children & Youth
Phone: (360) 725-6505
 

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 Washington's Homeless Students?

Join the Washington 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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