McKinney Vento

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Program helps homeless children have equal access to a free public education as provided to all of the other children in the District. A child is considered homeless if they do not have a regular adequate residence. This means any students living in shelters, in substandard housing, doubled up with friends or relatives because they have no other place to go and cannot afford a home. The other living arrangements included are single room hotels, cars, parks and public places. Upon request backpacks and school supplies are available. If a child qualifies under the McKinney-Vento homeless program, you can contact Martha Cabrera at 626-652-4971.

Homeless Children are guaranteed enrollment in school by The Federal McKinney-Vento Act and California State law if you live:    

• In a shelter (family, domestic violence, or youth shelter or transitional living program)

• In a motel, hotel or weekly rate housing

• In a house or apartment with more than one family because of economic hardship or loss

• In an abandoned building, in car, at a campground, or on the street

• In temporary foster care or with an adult who is not your parent or guardian

• In substandard housing (without electricity, water, or heat)

• With friends or family because you are a runaway or an unaccompanied youth

To enroll in or attend school if you live under any of theses conditions, you do NOT need to provide:

• Proof of residency

• Immunization records or tuberculosis skin-test results      

• School records

• Legal Guardianship papers

You may:

• Participate fully in all school activities and programs for which you are eligible

• Continue to attend the school in which you were last enrolled even if you have moved away from that school’s attendance zone or district

• Receive transportation from your current residence back to your school or origin

• Qualify automatically for child nutrition program (free and reduced-price lunches and other district food programs).

• Contact the district liaison to resolve any disputes that arise during the enrollment process.

For questions about enrolling in school or for assistance with school enrollment, contact:

Your local School District Liaison for the homeless:

Martha Cabrera - McKinney Vento Liaison (Homeless) 
Office:  626-652-4971                     

George Schonborn - Director of Pupil Personnel Services
Office: 626-652-4982

Your County Liaison for the homeless:

Jennifer Kottke -Homeless Education, Coordinator II 

Desk Phone Number:  (562) 922-6614 

Google Phone Number (562) 334-2223

Your State Coordinator for the homeless:

Leanne Wheeler – State Coordinator, California Department of Education 1-866-856-8214