For Families

Students experiencing housing transitions have rights under the McKinney-Vento Act

Every student experiencing homelessness or housing transition shall have access to the same free and appropriate educational opportunities as the rest of the student population. This applies to all services, programs, and activities provided or made available.

Students qualify if they do not have a fixed, regular and adequate night time stay, including:

Shared housing with others due to loss of housing, economic hardship or similar reason
Motels, hotels, shelters, or transitional housing programs
Cars, trailer parks, camping areas, parks, beaches, abandoned buildings, public or private places not designed for, or ordinarily used as regular sleeping accommodation for human beings
Abandoned, runaway, pushed out, or migratory youth living in any of the circumstances described above

According to the McKinney-Vento Act, eligible students have rights to:

Immediate Enrollment: regardless of lack of proof of residency, immunization/medical or other school records
School Stability: Right to remain in school of origin (last school attended) or attend the school of residence (in area where the family is temporarily residing)
Have the right to attend the next matriculating school pattern (elementary to middle school and/or middle to high school)
If the family gains permanent housing, the student can remain at the current school for the duration of that academic year
If high school student gains permanent housing, they are able to remain at that current school site through graduation if they so choose
Transportation: to/from school if transportation creates a barrier to attendance
Meals: automatically qualify for free and reduced meals
Participation: Title I tutoring programs, Head Start and preschool programs
Dispute Resolution: if a dispute arises, the student is immediately admitted and able to attend the requested school while the dispute is being resolved.

McKinney-Vento District Liaisons can help by:

Providing referrals to district and community resources, including emergency and long-term housing, health and wellness, food and counseling to remove any educational barriers for the student and family.

Community Resources

OC Housing for families

2-1-1 Orange County https://www.211oc.org/housing.html

Are you a family who is currently experiencing homelessness or at risk for becoming homeless? Complete this form, https://www.familysolutionscollaborative.org/help/, and the information will be directed via email to the nearest Access Point (Agency location where a family receives support and referrals to appropriate housing options within 72 hours after submitting).

OC Youth Shelters and Support Services

Casa Youth Shelter https://casayouthshelter.org/

24-Hour Crisis Hotline: (800) 914-CASA (2272)
Shelter: (562) 594-6825 or (714) 995-8601 for children and youth 12 to 17 years of age

Covenant House California ABOUT - Covenant House California 562-379-4110 for young adults 18 to 24 years of age
Welcome To Homeless Teen Help!
StandUp for Kids StandUp For Kids | Helping homeless and street kids 714-356-5437 for youth and young adults ages 12 to 24 years
WayMakers Safe Shelter https://waymakersoc.org/sheltering-children/ Tustin 714-714-0780, Laguna Beach 949-494-4311, Huntington Beach 714-842-6600 for children and youth 11 to 17 years of age

OC Child Care