Project HOPE-Virginia

Website Contact the school

Project HOPE-Virginia Project HOPE-Virginia is Virginia’s Program for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth.

William & Mary administers the program for the Virginia Department of Education. Funding is authorized by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.

What would you do if a student told you they were having trouble sleeping because their family moved into a motel after ...
10/07/2026

What would you do if a student told you they were having trouble sleeping because their family moved into a motel after being kicked out of their apartment?

Sometimes, signs of housing instability show up in the classroom before anyone knows what’s happening at home.

Knowing what to look for and what to do next can help connect students with the support they may be eligible to receive under the McKinney-Vento Act.

👉 Swipe through the scenario, then share it with a teacher, counselor, or school staff member who may need to know.

If you’re concerned about a student experiencing housing instability, connect with your school division’s McKinney-Vento liaison for support: https://bit.ly/4c0VvQZ

When a student is facing homelessness, keeping them connected to their school can provide something important: stability...
10/01/2026

When a student is facing homelessness, keeping them connected to their school can provide something important: stability.

A familiar classroom, caring adults, friendships, and routines can help students stay connected and focused on learning during a time of uncertainty.

Know a student experiencing housing instability? Connect with your local school division’s McKinney-Vento liaison: https://bit.ly/4l01hEI

09/29/2026

Early support can make a lasting difference. 💙

For young children experiencing homelessness, connecting them to early care and education as soon as possible can help reduce the impact of the stress and instability they may be experiencing.

The earlier children connect with early childhood programs and resources, the better the opportunity to support their development and help them arrive at school ready to learn, grow, and thrive.

In this podcast clip, Barbara Duffield, Executive Director of SchoolHouse Connection, discusses why connections to early care and education matter — and how we can help make sure young children don't have to wait for support.

🎧 Watch the clip and learn more about the importance of early support.
https://bit.ly/4xSppiB

McKinney-Vento support goes beyond getting students to and from school.Students experiencing homelessness have education...
09/24/2026

McKinney-Vento support goes beyond getting students to and from school.

Students experiencing homelessness have educational rights and protections that can help remove barriers to their education. These rights include:

• Transportation to and from the school of origin when it is in the student’s best interest
• Immediate enrollment in the local school even without required documents — the liaison can help obtain these after the student is attending classes
• Free school meals
• Connection to resources that remove barriers to education

McKinney-Vento is about helping students stay in school, maintain educational stability, and have the support they need to succeed.

Understanding these supports can help school staff and community partners better recognize when a student may need help and connect them with the right resources. https://bit.ly/4726sxV

Not all homelessness looks the same.When we think about homelessness, we may picture someone living on the street or sta...
09/16/2026

Not all homelessness looks the same.

When we think about homelessness, we may picture someone living on the street or staying in a shelter. But for many children and young people, homelessness can look very different.

A student may be:
• Staying temporarily with friends or relatives
• Living in a motel
• Moving from place to place
• Experiencing another unstable living situation

These students may not be counted in HUD’s Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, but they may still qualify for support and protections under the McKinney-Vento Act.

Understanding the different ways students can experience homelessness helps schools and communities recognize when a student may need support and connect them with the resources available to them.

Think a student or family may qualify for McKinney-Vento support? Find your local McKinney-Vento liaison through our website here: https://bit.ly/4l01hEI

09/10/2026

Every student deserves the chance to stay in school and work toward their future—no matter where they’re sleeping at night. 💙

Under the McKinney-Vento Act, unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness have the right to immediate school enrollment, transportation, free school meals, and other resources that help remove barriers to education.

Project HOPE-VA helps connect students and families with the information and support they need to keep moving forward.

Learn more about your rights and available resources through Project HOPE-VA, or connect with your local school division’s McKinney-Vento liaison for support.
https://bit.ly/4l01hEI

Starting the school year with support, community, and a little SPARK! ✨The 5th annual SPARK Back-to-School Event brought...
09/08/2026

Starting the school year with support, community, and a little SPARK! ✨

The 5th annual SPARK Back-to-School Event brought together families, schools, and community partners to help students facing housing instability in Williamsburg-James City County start the school year ready to learn.

From school supplies and backpacks to haircuts, screenings, meals, groceries, and connections to local resources, this event showed what’s possible when a community comes together to support students and families.

A big thank you to all of the community partners who helped make SPARK possible and to everyone who continues to show up for students in our community.

Learn more about Project HOPE-VA and resources for students and families at the Project HOPE-VA website. https://bit.ly/45imF2Q

Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools

What's behind an absence from school?For students experiencing homelessness, attendance challenges may be connected to c...
09/02/2026

What's behind an absence from school?

For students experiencing homelessness, attendance challenges may be connected to circumstances outside the classroom. Understanding those barriers is the first step toward finding the right support.

This National Attendance Awareness Month, let’s look beyond the absence and focus on what students need to succeed.

Want to learn more about supporting students experiencing homelessness? Visit the Project HOPE-VA website for resources and support. https://bit.ly/4726sxV

Back-to-school season is a time of excitement and preparation, but for students experiencing homelessness, returning to ...
08/26/2026

Back-to-school season is a time of excitement and preparation, but for students experiencing homelessness, returning to school may look very different.

Without a stable place to call home, students may face challenges that impact their ability to feel ready, connected, and supported in the classroom. Identifying students experiencing housing instability is the first step toward connecting them with resources that help them stay in school and succeed.

Through the McKinney-Vento program, students can receive support to help remove barriers and maintain educational stability.

If you know a student who may be experiencing homelessness, connect them with your local McKinney-Vento liaison to learn what support is available. https://projecthopevirginia.org/liaison-finder/

Transportation plays an important role in helping students experiencing homelessness stay connected to their education. ...
08/20/2026

Transportation plays an important role in helping students experiencing homelessness stay connected to their education. Students have the right to transportation to and from school, even when they move across school division lines, helping them maintain consistency during times of change.

Bus drivers and transportation staff are often among the first to notice when a student may be facing housing instability. By recognizing possible signs, responding with care, and connecting with McKinney-Vento liaisons, transportation teams can help ensure students and families receive the support they need.

Our Tip Sheet for Bus Drivers & Transportation Staff provides practical guidance on how transportation teams can identify students, offer support, and work together to promote educational stability. https://bit.ly/4pztRQ7

Together, we can help students stay in school, feel supported, and continue moving toward success.

Address

Project HOPE-Virginia William & Mary School Of Education Post Office Box 8795
Williamsburg, VA
23187

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 7pm
Tuesday 7am - 7pm
Wednesday 7am - 7pm
Thursday 7am - 7pm
Friday 7am - 7pm

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Project HOPE-Virginia posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The School

Send a message to Project HOPE-Virginia:

Shortcuts

Share

Category