Education for Homeless Children and Youth

Definition of Homeless Children and Youth

A "homeless child or youth" refers to individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence due to economic hardship. This includes those who:

1. Staying in a shelter (family shelter. domestic violence shelter, youth shelter).
2. Temporarily living in a motel or hotel due to loss of housing, economic hardship, natural disaster, or similar reason.
3. Sharing housing with other(s) due to loss of housing, economic hardship, natural disaster, lack of adequate housing, or similar reasons. This may include renting a room in someone’s house and/or a garage.
4. Living in a car, park, campground, abandoned building, or other inadequate accommodations (i.e. lack of water, electricity, or heat).

Homeless status is determined in cooperation with the parent or guardian. For unaccompanied youth, the determination is made by the homeless and foster youth liaison. 

Enrollment

Vaughn Next Century Learning Center shall immediately admit and enroll a homeless student. The lack of school records or other documentation shall not delay enrollment. VNCLC will immediately request records from the student’s previous school. (42 USC 11432(g)(3)(C)) 

If the student needs immunizations or lacks medical records, the Homeless and Foster Youth Liaison will assist in obtaining necessary immunizations or medical records.