The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act ensures access to a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) for children experiencing homelessness.  The Act also ensures that children and youth who have disabilities will have their complex and unique needs identified and met. 

Each school district has a local homeless education liaison that is the point of contact for families and unaccompanied youths experiencing homelessness.  The liaison is responsible for identifying children and youths who may be covered by the McKinney-Vento Act and ensuring that these children receive services related to educational, health or basic needs.  

For more information, read “Questions and Answers on Special Education and Homelessness” developed by The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services and the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education

The following organizations offer information on the education of children who are homeless:

• National Center for Homeless Education
  1-800-308-2145
  homeless@serve.org
• Connecticut State Department of Education
  State of Connecticut Contact – Louis Tallarita, CT State Coordinator
  Connecticut State Department of Education
  Bureau of Health and Nutrition Services and Child/Family/School Partnerships
  25 Industrial Park Road                               
  Middletown, CT 06457                                
  Email: Louis.Tallarita@ct.gov
  Telephone: (860) 807-2058