Homeless Education

A homeless individual is someone who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This includes anyone who, due to lack of houseing, lives:

• in emergency or transitional shelters,
• in motels, hotels, trailer parks, campgrounds, abandoned in hospitals, awaiting foster care,
• in cars, parks, public places, bus or train stations, abandoned buildings,
• doubled up with relatives or friends,
• migratory children living in these conditions.

What Homeless Families Need to Know
 

• Homeless children have a right to attend school.
• You do not need a permanent address to enroll your child in school.
• Homeless children have the right to stay in their home school if the parents choose.
• Your child cannot be denied school enrollment just because school records or other enrollment documentation are not immediately available.
• Your child has the right to transportation services to and from the school of origin.
• Your child has the right to participate in extra-curricular activities and all federal, state, and local programs for which s/he is eligible.

What Your Family Can Do Before You Move
 

• 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 home school while you are getting the family stabilized.
• Ask for a copy of your child's school records, including immunizations.

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.

At School, Ask About These Special Services
 

• Free breakfast and lunch programs
• Free transportation servcies
• Special transportation for children to remain in their home school
• Special education programs, especially if the student has previously received special education services
• Tutoring programs
• Programs to help children learn English
• Gifted or talented programs
• Summer school programs
• Pre-school programs
• Homeless assistance programs