Homeless Education

What Families Need to Know

Your child can enroll in school even if you have:

• Uncertain Housing
• A Temporary Address
• No Permanent Physical Address

EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH LACKING FIXED, REGULAR, AND ADEQUATE HOUSING

Families should know:

• You do not need a permanent address to enroll your child in school.
• Your child cannot be denied school enrollment when school records or other enrollment documentation are not immediately available.
• Your child may be able to remain in the same school (school of origin) even if you move.
• Your child has the right to transportation services to and from the school of origin.
• Schools must provide you with a written explanation if a placement dispute occurs, and you may appeal the school’s decision.
• Your child automatically qualifies to participate in free breakfast and lunch programs.
• Your child has the right to participate in extracurricular activities and all federal, state, or local programs for which he/she is eligible.
• Unaccompanied youth lacking fixed, regular, and adequate housing have these same rights.

AT SCHOOL, ASK ABOUT THESE SPECIAL SERVICES

• Tutoring programs
• Programs to help children learn English
• Gifted or talented programs
• Summer school programs
• Preschool programs
• Before and after school programs
• Homeless assistance programs
• Mentoring programs
• Special education programs for students with disabilities, especially if the student has previously received special education services

SCHOOL PROFESSIONALS ALSO MAY PROVIDE

• Quiet time or a personal space to allow your child to complete homework at school
• Basic school supplies
• Contact information for community agencies and helpful resources

TIPS FOR FAMILIES WHO MOVE OFTEN

• Keep a copy of birth certificates and school records accessible.
• Safeguard all health and immunization records.
• Have a reliable person keep a second copy of the child’s birth certificate, school records, and health information.
• Enroll children in school as soon as possible.

WHAT YOU CAN DO BEFORE MOVING

• Tell your child’s teacher and principal that your child is moving and give them the new address.
• Let school officials know if you want your child to stay in his/her school of origin while you are getting the family stabilized.
• Ask for a copy of your child’s school records, including immunizations.

Agency Information List

The following contacts may be useful resources to families and children experiencing homelessness:

• Coordinated Homeless Intake & Access (CHIA) 918 Commerce Street (434) 455-5722
• Domestic Violence Prevention Center (434) 528-1041
• Salvation Army 2211 Park Ave. (434) 845-5939
• Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline (VA Department of Social Services) 800-552-7096
• Virginia Family Violence and Sexual Assault Hotline 800-838-8238
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention 800-342-2437
• Hill Burton Free Hospital Care (U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services). 800-638-0742
• Project Immunize Virginia 757-668-6435
• Medicaid Provider Helpline 800-552-8627
• Family Access to Medical Insurance Security Plane (FAMIS) 866-873-2647
• Pupil Transportation 804-225-2037
• National Mental Health Association Resource Center 800-969-6642
• National Association for the Education of Young Children 800-424-2460
• Adult Education and Literacy 804-225-2075
• Statewide Human Services Information and Referral 800-230-6977
• Food Stamps 804-726-7378
• Lawyer Referral Service 800-552-7977
• Social Security Administration Hotline
  Assists individuals applying for benefits. 800-772-1213 or 800-325-0778 (TDD)
• National Alliance to End Homelessness 202-638-1526
• Virginia Housing Development Authority 877-843-22123
• National Runaway Switchboard 800-786-2929
• Child Help USA Hotline Counselors available to talk with pre-teens about their problems. 800-422-4453
• Virginia Interagency Action Council for the Homeless (VIACH) 804-371-7175
  www.endhomelessnessva.org

The federal McKinney-Vento Act guarantees school enrollment for anyone who, due to a lack of permanent housing, lives in inadequate or temporary settings, such as:

• In emergency or transitional shelters
• In motels, hotels, or campgrounds
• In cars, parks, public places, bus or train stations, or abandoned buildings
• Doubled up with relatives or friends
• In these conditions and is a migratory child or youth

Children and youth living in these settings meet criteria for the McKinney-Vento definition of homelessness and have special educational rights.