# How to Assist Students Experiencing Homelessness

By Education Technology · Published 2023-12-12 · Updated 2026-05-19 · Education Technology on MarketScale
Canonical: https://www.marketscale.com/industries/education-technology/how-to-assist-students-experiencing-homelessness
Creator hub: Raptor Technologies

> School leaders can address systemic barriers affecting homeless students through coordinated support and clear identification protocols

## Key points

- The McKinney-Vento Act defines homelessness broadly as any living situation that is not fixed, regular, and adequate — covering more students than many educators realize.
- Local homeless education liaisons play a critical role in identifying and supporting students experiencing homelessness within school districts.
- Effective support requires empathy, compassion, and individualized attention tailored to each student's circumstances.

Block Field

In today's episode of [School Safety Today](https://marketscale.com/shows/raptor-technologies/) by [Raptor Technologies](https://raptortech.com/), host [Dr. Amy Grosso](https://www.linkedin.com/in/amybigbeegrosso/) sat down with [**Kenya Haynes**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenya-haynes-2735744/), Program Specialist at the [National Center for Homeless Education](https://nche.ed.gov/) to discuss the complexities surrounding the issue of students experiencing homelessness and the educational strategies required to address these challenges effectively. 

- The broad definition of homelessness according to the McKinney-Vento Act and the criteria of having a living situation that is not fixed, regular, and adequate.  
- The critical role of local homeless education liaisons in school districts with students experiencing homelessness. 
- The need for empathy, compassion, and individualized attention in supporting these students. 

### About the Guest

**Kenya Haynes** is a program specialist at the National Center for Homeless Education. An educator for 25 years, she joined NCHE in 2018 after sixteen years at the Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) where she focused her energy on working with vulnerable student populations. During her tenure at WDE, she worked with homeless education, dropout prevention, juvenile justice, gender equity, civil rights, school accreditation, gifted and talented education, homeschooling, Title I, and the state system of support. She is honored to have served on the board of the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth and as liaison to the National Expert Panel for the Education of Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent, or At-Risk.

Tags: Dr. Amy Grosso, Educational Challenges for Homeless Students, Homeless Education Programs, Kenya Haynes, McKenney-Vento Act, National Center for Homeless Education, Raptor Technologies, School Safety, Student Homelessness

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