McKinney-Vento Funding

As Title IX, Part A of ESSA, subtitle VII-B of The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act authorizes the federal Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) Program and is the primary piece of federal legislation related to the education of children and youth experiencing homelessness. State educational agencies (SEAs) must ensure that homeless children and youths have equal access to the same free, appropriate public education, as is provided to other children and youths. Homeless students must also have access to the education and other services that they need to meet the same challenging State academic standards to which all students are held.

How Bark aligns with McKinney-Vento Funding:

• Bark Phones can provide continuity of safe, monitored internet access for all students, including those experiencing homelessness, decreasing the detrimental impacts of school mobility and chronic absenteeism.
• The Bark app’s powerful monitoring tools have a demonstrated record of success in providing alerts and early warning indicators for bullying, violence, and self-harm or suicidal ideation among students using a Bark device, including those students experiencing homelessness.
• Bark’s parent portal encourages and supports family engagement regardless of housing status. Parents and guardians can get alerts via text and email to ensure their children are protected online after school, on weekends, and over breaks. 
• Schools that become Bark Community Partners are provided resources to help educate families about online safety. Through online courses, digital safety resources, and live parenting workshops, Bark provides parents with the tools they need to keep their children safe online regardless of housing status.