Homeless/Foster Youth Services

The Charter Oak Unified School District’s Department of Student Services provides comprehensive programs designed to nurture the whole child—addressing social-emotional well-being, equitable access, family engagement, and innovative supports. Through the Charter Oak Student and Family Resource Center, we offer targeted services for families experiencing homelessness and for foster youth. When additional assistance is needed, the district either delivers direct support or facilitates connections to local community resources so every student and their family can thrive.

To learn more about our homeless or foster youth services, contact:

McKinney-Vento Act Information

If your family lives in any of the following situations, your school-age children may qualify for certain rights and protections under the federal McKinney-Vento Act.

• In a shelter
• In a motel or campground due to the lack of an alternative adequate accommodation
• In a car, park, abandoned building, or bus or train station
• Doubled up with other people due to loss of housing or economic hardship

Under McKinney-Vento, eligible children have the right to:

• Receive a free, appropriate public education.
• Enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documents normally required for enrollment.
• Enroll in school and attend classes while the school gathers needed documents.
• Enroll in the local school; or continue attending their school of origin (the school they attended when permanently housed or the school in which they were last enrolled), if that is your preference and is feasible.
• Receive transportation to and from the school of origin, if you request this.
• Receive educational services comparable to those provided to other students, according to your child's needs.
• Be considered for graduation under alternative requirements if certain conditions are met.
• Be issued partial credits on a transcript if a high-school age youth changes schools before the end of a semester.
• Receive free or reduced-cost meals at school.
• Receive assistance with accessing medical care for your eligible children, including immunizations
• Receive assistance with arranging transportation to school, including free or reduced-cost transportation on a school bus.

Additional Information

Support through the Los Angeles County Office of Education: LACOE HOMELESS SERVICES

Full text of the federal McKinney-Vento Act can be found at this link: FEDERAL MCKINNEY-VENTO ACT