Education of Homeless Children and Youth Program

Educational Rights Public Notice
The mission of the Homeless Children and Youths Program is to ensure free, appropriate, public educational opportunities for homeless children and youths; to provide technical assistance to schools, shelters and the community; and to heighten awareness of homeless issues. Homeless children and youths should have equal access to the same educational opportunities and services as non-homeless children and youths. In addition, homeless children and youths should have the opportunity to meet the same challenging academic achievement standards to which all students are held. 

1. What is the definition of homeless children and youths?
The term “homeless child and youths” means: 

• Children and youths who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence; and includes children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelter (including DC transitional housing); are abandoned in hospitals; or are awaiting foster care placement;
• Children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a private or public place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings;
• Children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned building, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings;
• Migratory children who qualify as homeless because they are living in circumstances described above; and
• Unaccompanied youth, including youths who are not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian, who qualify as homeless because they live in circumstances described above

2. Can a homeless child enroll in school?
Yes, the child may continue enrollment in the school of origin for the duration of homelessness. The school is the one the child attended prior to becoming homeless or the school in which the child was last enrolled. The child may also enroll in the school for the attendance area where he or she is living temporarily. If a dispute arises over school selection or enrollment, the school must immediately enroll the homeless student in the school, pending resolution of the dispute. If the local school cannot resolve the dispute, the school must follow the Dispute Resolution Process, not to exceed fifteen (15) days. The local school must provide the parent, guardian or unaccompanied youth with a written statement of the school placement decision and the appeal rights. 

3. Whom should be contacted if a dispute arises regarding enrolling a homeless child or youth in school or if other assistance is needed?
The Homeless Children and Youths Program has been designed to assist children and youth who are experiencing homelessness and their families regarding educational issues. If a homeless child or youth is experiencing difficulty in enrolling in school, please contact the Homeless Children and Youths Office at (202) 698-3321.

4. What services are provided by the Homeless Children and Youths Program?
The Homeless Children and Youths Program provides the following services: transportation assistance; dispute resolution; emergency school enrollment assistance; special projects; Homeless Awareness Month; staff development; and interagency collaboration.

• McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
• School Supplies Distribution Campaign
• NCLB Title X-Education of Homeless Children and Youth Survey
  
  Useful forms:
• Homeless Children and Youths Program Appeals*
• Homeless Children and Youths Program Referral*
• Homeless Liaison Assignment Form*
• Request for Service*
• Intervention Strategies*