YOUTH IN TRANSITION

Information for Parents and School-Aged Youth

A family who qualifies for Youth in Transition if a family or student lives in any of the following situations:

• In a shelter

• On the Street

• In an abandoned building, trailer, or other inadequate accommodations

• Doubled up with friends or relatives because affordable housing cannot be found.

School-Aged children have certain rights or protections under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act.  Those rights are:

• Go to school, no matter where they live or how long they have lived there.  Must be given access to the same public education provided to other children.

• Continue in the school attended before becoming homeless or the school last attended, if that is the choice and is feasible.  If a school sends a child to a school other than the one requested, the school must provide a written explanation and offer the right to appeal the decision.

• Receive transportation to the school attended before the family became homeless or the school last attended, and a guardian may request such transportation.

• Attend a school and participate in school programs with children who are not homeless.  Children cannot be separated from the regular school program because they are homeless.

• Enroll in school without giving a permanent address.  Schools cannot require proof of residency that might prevent or delay school enrollment.

• Enroll and attend classes while the school arranges for the transfer of school and immunization records or any other documents required for enrollment.

• Enroll and attend classes in the school of choice even while the school and family seek to resolve a dispute over reenrolling the children.

• Receive the same special programs and services, if needed, as provided to all other children served in these programs.

• Receive transportation to school and to school programs.

When a family becomes homeless, they should do the following:

• Contact the school district's local liaison for homeless education, Martha Parham, for help in enrolling in a new school or arranging to continue in his or her former school.
   

• NECESSARY FORMS:
  Contact the school and complete the following forms:
  Affidavit for Missing Enrollment Documentation(print and complete)
  Student Residency Affidavit(print and complete)
  Residency Verification and Checklist (print and complete)
  Information for Parents and Youth(for your reference only)

• Also..
  If you are in a shelter, please complete the  Authorization for Informationform
  
   

• Provide any information that will assist the teachers in helping with the adjustment to new circumstances.

• Ask the local liaison for homeless education, Martha Parham, the shelter provider or a social worker for assistance with clothing and supplies, as needed.

If further assistance is needed, call the numbers listed below:

Local contact:  Martha Parham (858) 679-2531

State Coordinator:  Leanne Wheeler (916) 657-2871

National Center for Homeless Education toll-free Help Line:

1-800-308-2145

Download Youth in Transition brochure

Download Spanish Youth in Transition brochure

Download (167kb) Youth in Transition Handbook

FACULTY & STAFF:  Download the Procedure:

Youth in Transition procedure

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Poway Unified School District
13626 Twin Peaks Road
Poway, CA 92064
858-679-2530
Web Designer: Lori Allshouse

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