Homeless Education Program

Who are the homeless?

• Children and youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.
• Children and youth who are sharing the housing of other persons due to the loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reasons.
• Children and youth living in motels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to lack of adequate living accommodations.
• Children and youth living in emergency or transitional shelters.
• Children and youth who are abandoned.
• Children and youth who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings.
• An unaccompanied youth who is not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian.  This would include runaways living in runaway shelters, abandoned buildings, cars, or the streets or in the other inadequate housing, throwaway children, and school-age unwed mothers living in homes for unwed mothers.

What services are offered?

• Help with school fees, academic and/or class fees, locker fees, and school agenda costs
• Help with school supplies and expenses
• Clothing and personal needs
• Transportation
  • Other Assistance

If a student is identified as homeless, he/she becomes immediately eligible for local school services.  If a student is identified as homeless, school personnel, with input from the family, will determine the best and most appropriate services to meet the student's needs.  A homeless child or youth is to be enrolled immediately without any barriers.  A Child or student who becomes homeless during the school year can elect to stay in the school of origin for the remainder of that academic year.

What are the educational rights of homeless children or youth?

Homeless children have the right to access the same free, appropriate public education as provided to all other children.  Homeless families do NOT have to provide a permanent address in order to enroll children in school.  Schools may not require proof of residency that might prevent or delay enrollment.  A homeless child or youth may remain in the school he/she attended before becoming homeless if that is determined to be in the child's best interests.  Lack of school records can not prevent a homeless student from enrolling in a new school.  Lack of a birth certificate and/or a social security card cannot prevent a homeless child or youth from enrolling in a new school.  Lack of an immunization card cannot prevent a homeless child or youth from enrolling in a new school.  A homeless child or youth is immediately eligible for free school breakfast and lunch.  Homeless children and youth shall be provided services comparable to services offered to other students who are not homeless, including transportation, means, and special programs.  A homeless child or youth will receive assistance by the school and district homeless liaison in acquiring any missing records such as a current immunization card.  The student shall attend school while the documentation is acquired.