Charlie, the little boy whose image launched the movement to improve homeless children's educational rights...

Pat Van Doren's poignant, memorable, photo adorned every piece of promotional material about the

ILLINOIS EDUCATION FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN ACT of 1994. We commemorate 1993 as the beginning of this campaign because it's when the family was turned away from their school, the act that began the legislative effort to change the Illinois state law. The law passed in 1994.

Read an excerptfrom Diane's book, Crossing the Line: Taking Steps to End Homelessness, about the improbable beginnings of this law, now represented in the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act of 2001 (updated 12/15). 

Definition of "homeless" in this law.

ORDER DIANE'S BOOK, Crossing the Line: Taking Steps to End Homelessness that contains the story of Charlie and this law.

This book and Diane's other books are also available through Amazon and other book vendors.

 Understanding McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Rights

Homeless students have strong rights regarding their education. This section will attempt to present those rights in a way that will be helpful to homeless families and teens, educators, shelter staff, and persons concerned about access to education for the millions of kids without homes in this country.

• The law that specifies homeless students' rights - The McKinney Vento Homeless Education Act, 2-pg summary with legal references. Thanks, SchoolHouseConnection!
• Helpline for help getting a homeless student into school
• Resources and information about the law (thanks, SchoolHouse Connection)
• Watch the HEAR US (free) 11-minute film explaining homeless education law, REACH.

HEAR US thanks these partner organizations for providing comprehensive educational resources on the issue of families and youth experiencing homelessness:

SchoolHouse Connection, a resource for all things related to education, birth through higher ed, offers a plethora of information.

National Center for Homeless Education provides resources for students, parents, educators and anyone concerned about educational access for students experiencing homelessness.