Homeless Education Services

The McKinney-Vento- Education for Homeless Children & Youths act provides protections for students who are unhoused/homeless, including enrollment rights (see below: Rights for Students Who Are Unhoused).  The SCUSD Homeless Services Office supports the enrollment, attendance, and achievement of students who are experiencing homelessness to ensure they receive equal access to educational opportunities.

Definition of Students who are Unhoused / Homeless

Students who have lost their housing are defined as unhoused/homeless if they lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This includes living in: emergency shelters or transitional housing programs; a public/private place that is not designed for or normally used as a place for sleeping (cars, parks/public places, abandoned/condemned buildings, bus stations, etc); motel/hotel, campground, or travel trailer due to a lack of alternative adequate accommodations; temporarily moved in with others due to a loss of housing or financial problems (eviction, job loss, etc).  This also includes students who live in the above situations and who are unaccompanied youth, runaways, children abandoned in hospitals, and migratory children.

Registering a Student Who is Unhoused / Homeless

Immediate Enrollment for Students Experiencing Homelessness

Students experiencing homelessness have the right to immediate enrollment in school, even if required documentation is not available at the time of enrollment. This includes, but is not limited to, records such as birth certificates, immunization records, proof of residency, prior school records, or photo identification. 

If documentation is available, families and youth are encouraged to submit it during enrollment. If documentation is not available, the student will be enrolled immediately, and the district will assist in obtaining any missing records as needed.

High School Placement

If prior transcripts are not immediately available, students will be enrolled without delay and placed in grade-appropriate classes. The district will work promptly to obtain transcripts and adjust placement or credits as appropriate once records are received.

Student Registration

Contact the Homeless Education Services Office

Ashley Powers Clark, MS, MSW, PPSC
Homeless Education Services Program Coordinator (Homeless Liaison)
ashley-clark@scusd.edu
(916) 507-3452