Homeless Education Services

Definition of  Non-Permanent Housing:

Children and youth who lack a regular, adequate and fixed nighttime residence including: children who share housing with other persons due to loss of housing or economic hardship; children living in emergency or transitional shelters; children living in motels, campgrounds, trailer parks etc. as well as unaccompanied youth.

Students in non-permanent housing and their families have the following rights:

• To go to school, no matter where they live or how  long they have lived there.  They must be given access to the same public education, including pre-school education, provided to other children. 
• To stay in their original or last school even if they move to another district.  Students in non-permanent housing have the right to stay in the school they attended prior  to the loss of housing, or to remain in the school they were last enrolled, unless the parent or unaccompanied youth chooses otherwise.  This is called the “school of origin”.
• To be transported to their original school.
• School districts must arrange transportation for students in homeless situations so that students can stay at their school of origin, even if students move to a different city, county or school district.
• To immediately enroll in a new school.
• Homeless students who move and wish to enroll in a new school where they are situated while homeless may attend classes immediately, without proof of residency, immunizations, school records or other papers, and without a uniform.
• To automatically receive free breakfast and lunch at school.
• A shelter worker or parent may contact the school to verify the child’s homelessness.  The school must immediately begin providing meals based on verification