Students living in detention centers or in the custody of DJJ do not meet the definition of homeless as specified in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act.
State Operated Programs
If students are released from detention centers or the custody of DJJ to housing that is not fixed, regular, or adequate, they should be connected with the local McKinney-Vento liaison to determine eligibility for services and school enrollment.
State Operated Programs McKinney-Vento Liaison:
Scott Cheatham, (804)750-8599, Scott.Cheatham@doe.virginia.gov
Additional Resources
Collaborating for Change: Addressing Youth Homelessness and Juvenile Justice — This project was launched by the Coalition for Juvenile Justice (CJJ) in June 2016 to decrease the likelihood that homeless youth become involved with the juvenile justice system and prevent homelessness among justice-involved youth. CJJ’s website includes reports on:
- Homeless and Runaway Youth in the Juvenile Justice System
- School Personnel’s Role in Addressing the Intersection of Homelessness and Juvenile Justice
- Judicial Guide to Identifying and Serving Youth Experiencing Homelessness
- Addressing the Intersections of Juvenile Justice Involvement and Youth Homelessness: Principles for Change – Coalition for Juvenile Justice
- Cross-System Touches: Youth Homelessness & System Involvement – Coalition for Juvenile Justice