Support for Every Student
If a family is experiencing homelessness or if a child is in foster care, help is available. The child has rights, and those rights are protected.
Homeless Student Support
Under the McKinney-Vento Act, your child has the right to enroll and succeed.
Who to ask at a school
Every district and every charter school must name a homeless liaison and a foster youth liaison. Those are the people who can enrol a child immediately, arrange transport to the school of origin and waive missing paperwork. The current names and phone numbers are published on each school’s own website and in its enrolment packet — ask the front office for “the McKinney-Vento liaison”.
If the school cannot help, the county office of education keeps a liaison for the whole county, and the California Department of Education lists them by county.
Immediate Enrollment
Enroll right away — even without school records, immunization records, proof of residence, or uniforms.
School of Origin
Your child can stay at their current school even if your living situation changes.
Free Transportation
Transportation to and from the school of origin is provided upon request.
No Paperwork Barriers
Missing paperwork cannot prevent or delay enrollment.
Equal Access
Full access to nutrition, special education, gifted programs, and all services.
Free Meals
Automatic qualification for school breakfast and lunch programs.
Who Qualifies as Homeless?
Under the McKinney-Vento Act, "homeless" includes children and youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This includes:
Dispute Resolution
If you disagree with a decision about your child's eligibility or school placement, you have the right to dispute. During the dispute process, your child will remain enrolled and attending school.
Contact the school’s homeless liaison:
How to reach a school about these rightsFoster Youth Support
Under AB 490, foster youth have specific educational rights and protections.
Foster youth liaison
Every district and charter school also names a foster youth liaison. That person handles immediate enrolment, partial credits from a previous school and transfer of records, and works with the county office of education. The current name and phone number are published by the school; the county foster youth services programme can help if the school does not respond.
Immediate Enrollment
Enroll immediately, even without typical documents.
School of Origin
Right to remain at school of origin when placement changes.
Timely Records Transfer
School records must be transferred promptly.
Partial Credit
For grades 6–8, partial credits awarded for coursework before transfer.
Equal Access
Full access to all educational programs and services.
Complaint Process
If you believe your child's rights are not being met, you may file a complaint through Barackobamacharter' Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP).
CDE Uniform Complaint Procedures · www.cde.ca.gov/re/cp/ucCommunity Resources
Free help with food, housing, health, and more.
FindHelp.org
Free and low-cost help with food, housing, health, and more.
Visit Website · www.findhelp.org211
Local community services available 24/7. Dial 2-1-1 or visit the website.
Visit Website · 211la.orgWIN
Free in-home mental health therapy and support for vulnerable families with young children.
Visit Website · www.cde.ca.gov/ls/mhSchool on Wheels
Families of homeless and foster youth can access additional support resources through community organizations.
Visit Website · schoolonwheels.orgBoard Policy
Homeless and foster youth policy in California charter schools
Every charter school adopts its own board policy under the federal McKinney-Vento Act; the current text is published by the school and by the California Department of Education.
Read the official CDE guidance · www.cde.ca.gov/sp/hsUniform Complaint Procedures (UCP)
CDE Uniform Complaint Procedures · www.cde.ca.gov/re/cp/uc