RBUSD Homelessness and Unaccompanied Youth
The federal government's legal definition of homelessness based on the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act which includes any student who is ...
- Lacking a regular, fixed and adequate nighttime residence including those students who are:
- "Temporarily doubled up" with family or friends due to a loss of housing and economic hardship
- Living in a shelter, hotel, or motel
- Living in a public place not designated for sleeping (cars, parks, abandoned buildings)
- Not in the physical custody of their parent or legal guardian
- Abandoned in a hospital
- Migrant and qualifies under any of the above
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ensures that children and youth experiencing homelessness, including preschoolers, have equal access to the same free, appropriate educational programs as other children and youth. Federal and state law mandates the elimination of educational barriers facing homeless children and youth, to increase school stability and protect students from discrimination. Under this legislation, homeless children and youth are entitled to have access to the same educational experience and resources as all students. Eligible students have the right to:
- Receive a free, appropriate education
- Enroll immediately even if lacking documents
- Enroll in or stay in their school of origin (school last attended, school where they are residing or a school they attended in the last 15 months)
- Transportation to/from their school of origin
- Receive educational services comparable to other students
- Dispute resolution process
If you are living within RBUSD boundaries or were attending an RBUSD school and are in any of the above situations, you may be eligible for McKinney Vento support services. Please contact the RBUSD Homeless Liaison, Jason Kurtenbach, at [email protected], for more information, or, download the RBUSD Student Residency Questionnaire, complete it, and turn it into your school office.
Homeless Youth Resources:
- Free Wi-Fi
- Your Call Wireless - Free Cell phones for those that qualify
- https://www.truconnect.com/: Free Cell phones for those that qualify
- Homework Hotline
- Khan Academy
- Los Angeles County Library
- 211 LA
- Directory of Services for Homeless Youth and Adults in Los Angeles County
- School on Wheels Tutoring
- "What I Need" App
- Food Bank App
- General Help
Los Angeles Department of Social Services
Additional Resources
- LOCAL RESOURCE GUIDE: RBUSD updated local resources for families impacted by the government shutdown
- CARE SOLACE: Connects homeless and struggling families with care coordination to find medical, dental, housing, food, etc
- FOSTER & HOMELESS FOOD SERVICES: LA County Food Programs for Youth, Teens, and Seniors
- FREE ITEMS FOR HOMELESS STUDENTS: After our next meeting, you can pick up from our warehouse items for homeless students, which include clothing, hygiene products, STUFFED ANIMALS, school supplies, and other items.
- LA211: Families can call 211 LA 24/7 to connect with assistance for housing, food, and a variety of other needs.
- LAHSA: Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority supports people in gaining access to housing and other services.
- NHYAM TOOLKIT: National Homeless Youth Awareness Month (NHYAM) Toolkit - CA Homeless Edu. & Tech. Assistance Center
- WIN APP: Use or have your families use the What I Need App to locate food banks near them or near our school site.
- FINDHELP.ORG: Use the Findhelp.org search engine at findhelp.org by findhelp - Search and Connect to Social Care.
- SHELTERAPP.ORG: Homeless Resources - Shelter App - is a phone app used to access local food resources.
- FEED AMERICA: A map navigator to food resources here: Find Your Local Food Bank | Feeding America
- Community Mental Health Resources: RBUSD updated local resources for free or low-cost community mental health services