Foster & Homeless Youth
Even if you have:
- Uncertain housing
- A temporary address
- No permanent physical address
You are guaranteed enrollment in school by the federal McKinney-Vento Act and California state law if you live:
- In a house or apartment with more than one family due to loss of housing or economic hardship
- With friends or family because you are a runaway or an unaccompanied youth
- In substandard housing (without electricity, water, or heat)
- In a shelter (family, domestic violence or youth shelter or transitional living program)
- In a motel, hotel, or weekly rate housing
- In an abondoned building, in a car, at a campground, or on the streets
You can enroll in school immediately even without the documents normally required for enrollment such as:
- Proof of residency
- Immunication records or other required health records
- School records
- Legal guardianship papers
Your child may:
- Participate fully in all school activities and programs for which he/she is eligible
- Receive transportation to and from the school of origin if you request it
- Continue to attend the school in which he/she was last enrolled even if you have moved away from that school's attendance area
- Qualify automatically for school nutrition programs
Your responsibilities are to:
- Make sure your child gets to school on time and ready to learn
- Stay informed of school rules, regulations, and activities
- Contact the homeless liaison for assistance in removing barriers to your child's education
- Attend parent/teacher conferences, Back-to-School Nights, and other school-related activities
For questions about enrolling in school or assistance with school enrollment, contact:
For questions about enrolling in school or assistance with school enrollment, contact:
For questions about enrolling in school or assistance with school enrollment, contact:
YOUR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT LIAISON:
Whitmore Union Elementary School District
Darla Harper
dharper@wujesd.org
530-472-3242
YOUR COUNTY HOMELESS LIAISON:
Austin Preller
Director of Youth Support Services
apreller@shastacoe.org
530-225-0241
YOUR HOMELESS STATE COORDINATOR:
Leanne Wheeler
State Coordinator
California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Suite 6408
Sacramento, CA 95814
1-866-856-8214