Defining Foster Youth

^{Explanation of who qualifies as a foster youth under education law, including eligibility for services.}

^{- Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program (FYSCP) TAP}

The McKinney-Vento Definition of Homeless

^{Clarifies who is considered homeless under federal education law to ensure appropriate support and services.}

^{- National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE)}

California Local Educational Agency Primer: The Educational Rights of Students Experiencing Homelessness

^{Homeless Education Technical Assistance Centers (HETAC)}

Know Your Rights

^{California Foster Care Ombudsperson}

2025 Foster Youth Ed Law Fact Sheets

^{California Foster Youth Education Task Force}

2025 Ley de educación para jóvenes de crianza hojas informativas

^{Equipo de Trabajo para la Educación de Jóvenes de Crianza de California}  

Information for Parents

^{California Department of Education and National Center for Homeless Education}

Información para los padres

^{Departamento de Educación de California y Centro Nacional de Educación para los Niños y Jóvenes sin Hogar}

Information for School-Age Youth

^{California Department of Education and National Center for Homeless Education}

Información para los jovenes de edad escolar

^{Departamento de Educación de California y Centro Nacional de Educación para los Niños y Jóvenes sin Hogar}

Alliance for Children's Rights - Resource Library

^{Extensive library of legal guidelines, toolkits, and resources supporting the rights of children and youth in foster care.}

^{- Alliance for Children's Rights}

Foster vs. Homeless Rights and Entitlements

^{A side-by-side comparison of educational rights for students in foster care and experiencing homelessness.}

^{- Homeless Education Technical Assistance Centers (HETAC)}

Foster Youth Education Law Fact Sheets (2025)

^{Concise fact sheets outlining California laws affecting the education of foster youth.}

^{- California Foster Youth Education Task Force (CFYETF)}

Legal Center for Foster Care and Education

^{Comprehensive national resources on legal rights of students in foster care.}

^{- American Bar Association and Partners}

State and Federal Laws Regarding Foster Youth Education

^{Overview of key California and federal education laws that protect foster youth.}  

^{- California Department of Education}

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

^{Federal legislation ensuring the educational rights of students experiencing homelessness.}

^{The National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE)}

10,000 Degrees

^{Supports students from low-income backgrounds with scholarships, college access, and completion services.}

^{- 10,000 Degrees}

California Chafee Grant for Foster Youth

^{Provides up to $5,000 annually for current or former foster youth to support college or career training.}

^{- California Student Aid Commission}

California College Pathways

^{Statewide initiative offering resources, tools, and campus support programs to help foster youth succeed in postsecondary education.}

^{- John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY) and Partners}

California Dream Act Application (CADA)

^{Allows eligible undocumented students to apply for state financial aid and institutional scholarships.}

^{- California Student Aid Commission}

Financial Aid Completion Resources for California Foster and Homeless Youth

^{Guides, tools, and strategies to support students and educators with completing financial aid applications.}

^{- John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY)}

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

^{Main federal application for grants, loans, and work-study funds for college or career school.}

^{- U.S. Department of Education}

WebGrants 4 Students

^{Secure online portal for California students to track and manage state financial aid awards like Cal Grants and Chafee Grants.}

^{- California Student Aid Commission}

24-Hour Crisis Hotlines

^{Connect with someone who will listen and help you create a plan to stay safe and supported.  YOU ARE NOT ALONE.}

^{- National Runaway Safeline: 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929)}

^{- California Coalition for Youth Crisis Line: 1-800-843-5200}

Ambassadors of Hope and Opportunity

^{Youth-led nonprofit providing housing, job, support, and advocacy for unhoused youth ages 16-25.}  

California Foster Care Ombudsperson

^{Helps foster youth understand and advocate for their rights while in care, including education and placement.}

Comprehensive Education Toolkit for Youth who are Systems-Involved

^{A detailed resource for youth in foster care, on probation, or otherwise system-involved - covering school enrollment, rights, and college access.}

^{- Alliance for Children's Rights}

Food Locator Tool

^{Helps you find free or low-cost food resources including pantries, distribution sites, and meal programs in San Francisco and Marin.}

^{- San Francisco-Marin Food Bank}

Foster Youth Bill of Rights

^{A guide to your rights in foster care.}

^{- California Foster Care Ombudsperson}

Find Your Local School District or Charter School Liaison

^{Contact your school district McKinney-Vento & Foster Liaison for personalized support and connection to school and county resources.}

Information for School-Age Youth (Flyer)

^{Overview of education rights and supports for youth experiencing homelessness.}

^{- California Department of Education (CDE) & National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE)}

Información para jóvenes en edad escolar (Folleto)

^{Resumen de los derechos educativos y apoyos disponibles para jóvenes que enfrentan situaciones de falta de vivienda.}

^{- Departamento de Educación de California (CDE) y el Centro Nacional para la Educación de Personas sin Hogar (NCHE)}

Marin 9 to 25

^{A youth-focused collective working to improve outcomes for young people ages 9-25 in Marin County through community partnerships.}

^{- Marin County Youth Initiative}

Novato Teen Clinic

^{Free, confidential reproductive and behavioral health care for youth ages 12-25.  Services are available in English and Spanish, and the staff is LGBTQIA+ knowledgeable.}

^{- North Marin Community Services}

TAY Space

^{Safe, inclusive support space for transitional age youth offering wellness services, peer connection, and case management.}

^{- Side by Side}

Transitional Age Youth (TAY) Program

^{Provides support services such as mental health, housing and employment for young adults ages 18-25 transitioning to independence.}

^{- Community Action Marin}

Adopt a Family

^{Provides rental assistance, case management, and basic needs support for low-income families at risk of homelessness.}

^{Call: (415) 456-7805, available Monday to Thursday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM}

Canal Alliance

^{Offers comprehensive support for immigrant families, including housing help, legal services, and youth education.}

_{Call: (415) 454-2640 to schedule an appointment for case management}

Center for Domestic Peace

^{Provides emergency shelter, housing support, legal advocacy, and counseling for survivors of domestic violence.}

^{24-Hour Hotline: (415) 924-6616}

^{Walk-in assistance: 734 A Street, San Rafael, Monday to Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM}

Food Locator Tool

^{Helps you find free or low-cost food resources including pantries, distribution sites, and meal programs in San Francisco and Marin.}

^{- San Francisco-Marin Food Bank}

Find Your Local School District or Charter School Liaison

^{Contact your school district McKinney-Vento & Foster Liaison for personalized support and connection to school and county resources.}

Homeward Bound of Marin

^{Connects families experiencing homelessness or unstable housing to shelter and services.} 

^{Call: (415) 547-2115, available daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM}

Information for Parents (Flyer)

^{Overview of education rights and supports for youth experiencing homelessness.}

^{- California Department of Education (CDE) & National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE)}

Información para padres (Folleto)

^{Resumen de los derechos educativos y apoyos disponibles para jóvenes que enfrentan situaciones de falta de vivienda.}

^{- Departamento de Educación de California (CDE) y el Centro Nacional para la Educación de Personas sin Hogar (NCHE)}

Legal Aid of Marin

^{Offers free legal services to low-income individuals in areas including housing, employment, and family law.}

^{Request an appointment}

Marin Child Care Council

^{Connects families with child care resources and provides support for early learning and child development.}

Marin Foster Care Association

^{Supports resource families and youth through resources, training, and basic needs services such as the Foster Closet.}

Marin Housing Authority

^{Administers affordable housing programs and rental assistance (including section 8) in Marin County.}

North Marin Community Services

^{Offers comprehensive support including housing assistance, mental health counseling, financial help, and family services.}

^{If you are seeking support, visit the Pathways to Programs page for contact information.}

Postpartum Support Center

^{Provides resources, mental health support and basic needs assistance for families experiencing perinatal challenges.}

^{Peer Support Line (call or text): (415) 320-6707}

Public Assistance

^{Access Medi-Cal, CalFresh (food stamps), and CalWORKs through Marin Health and Human Services.}

St. Vincent de Paul

^{Provides food, rent and utility assistance, housing support, and wraparound services for individuals and families in crisis.}

^{Call: (415) 454-3303 (para español, marque la extensión 15)}

^{Visit: 820 B Street, San Rafael}

Educator and Foster Youth Liaison Resource Guide for Understanding Youth in Foster Care

^{Comprehensive guide for school staff and liaisons to better understand the unique educational needs, legal rights, and supports available for students in foster care. Includes best practices, definitions, and key responsibilities under state and federal law.}

^{- California Department of Education (CDE)}

Find Your Local School District or Charter School Liaison

^{If you become aware of a student or family experiencing homelessness, contact your school district McKinney-Vento & Foster Liaison.  They can provide support, coordinate services, and connect the student with both school-based and countywide resources.}  

Tips for Teachers and Staff: How to Support Students Experiencing Homelessness

^{Outlines the critical role school staff play in fostering stability and belonging for students experiencing homelessness.  This guide offers practical strategies and insights to help teachers create safe, supportive classroom environments and promote educational success for highly mobile students affected by trauma and housing instability.}

^{- SchoolHouse Connection}

Common Signs of Homelessness

^{Quick-reference indicators - physical, emotional, and academic - that may signal a student is experiencing homelessness.}

^{- McKinney-Vento.org}

Fixed, Regular and Adequate

^{While the responsibility for making an eligibility determinations rests with the district or charter school liaison, this tool is provided for your information to help school staff recognize when a student may be living in conditions that are not fixed, regular or adequate.}  

^{-McKinney-Vento.org}

Sample Questions for Information Gathering

^{These questions are intended to help school staff gather relevant information from students or families in a respectful, trauma-informed manner.  They support the liaison's assessment of whether the student's living situation is fixed, regular, and adequate under the McKinney-Vento definition.}

AB 490 Foster Youth Liaison Training

^{Covers key aspects of ESSA, AB 490, and other legal entitlements for students in foster care.  This self-paced training outlines the roles and responsibilities of LEA foster youth liaisons and provides strategies for fostering supportive learning environments.} 

^{- Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program (FYSCP)}

A Guide to the Homeless Liaison Role: Legal Guidelines and Implementation Strategies

^{Outlines the responsibilities of LEA homeless liaisons under federal and California education law, highlights additional duties of COE liaisons, and offers recommended strategies for effective implementation.}

^{- California HETAC and SchoolHouse Connection}

HETAC Recorded Trainings

^{A collection of brief, role-specific training videos and professional development modules covering key homeless education topics such as identification, attendance, transportation, and school staff responsibilities.  Includes foundational courses and quizzes to reinforce learning.}

^{- California HETAC}

LEA Primer: The Educational Rights of Students Experiencing Homelessness

^{Summarizes the key educational rights of students experiencing homelessness under federal and California law, with links to additional resources for each right.}

^{- California HETAC}

NCHE Training Videos

^{Self-paced online training modules and downloadable presentation materials designed to build foundational knowledge of the McKinney-Vento Act.  Includes training videos, PowerPoints, and handouts that can be used individually or for group training.}

^{- National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE)}

CA Foster Youth Education Law Fact Sheets (2025)

^{Summarizes key California laws impacting foster youth education, including enrollment, school stability, and educational rights.}

^{- California Foster Youth Education Task Force (CFYETF)}

Comprehensive Education Toolkit for Systems-Involved Youth

^{Provides tools and legal guidance to support the educational success of youth involved in foster care, probation, or other systems.}

^{- Alliance for Children's Rights}

Educator and Foster Youth Liaison Resource Guide for Understanding Youth in Foster Care

^{Offers an overview of the unique educational needs, legal protections, and best practices for supporting students in foster care.} 

^{- California Department of Education (CDE)}

Foster and Homeless Youth: Differences and Similarities within the Law

^{Compares the legal definitions, rights, and educational entitlements of foster youth and students experiencing homelessness.}

^{Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program (FYSCP) Technical Assistance Program (TAP)}

McKinney-Vento.org Free Liaison Portal

^{A centralized online portal featuring a forum, Q&A, videos, a liaison checklist, and downloadable tools to support McKinney-Vento liaisons nationwide.}    

^{- McKinney-Vento.org}

Supporting Families with Young Children Experiencing Homelessness: Identification and Referral Strategies

^{Tip sheet offering best practices for identifying young children experiencing homelessness and referring their families to appropriate school and community-based supports.  Includes linked resources to aid implementation.}

^{- California HETAC}

Unaccompanied Youth: Understanding and Addressing the Needs of Students Experiencing Homelessness on Their Own

^{Tip sheet providing an overview of who unaccompanied youth are, their educational rights under federal and California law, and strategies for supporting them in school settings. Includes links to additional guidance and implementation tools.} 

^{- California HETAC}

Foster Youth Services Technical Assistance Hub

^{Centralized resource hub offering tools, guidance, and best practices to support foster youth education at county and district levels.}

^{— FYSCP TAP}

Foster Youth in California Schools

^{Webpage featuring definitions, data, and outcomes related to foster youth in education.  Includes resources and information on how CDE supports counties, districts, and schools in meeting the needs of these students.}

^{— California Department of Education (CDE)}

Homeless Education Technical Assistance Centers (HETAC)

^{Provides resources, training, and technical assistance for California educators supporting students experiencing homelessness.}

^{— California HETAC}

Legal Center for Foster Care and Education

^{National collaborative focused on legal and policy advocacy to improve education outcomes for children in foster care.}

^{— American Bar Association & Partners}

National Center for Homeless Education

^{The federal technical assistance center for the education of homeless children and youth; offers publications, training, and resources.}

^{— U.S. Department of Education}

SchoolHouse Connection

^{National nonprofit offering policy guidance, tools, and professional development to remove barriers to education for children and youth experiencing homelessness.}

^{— SchoolHouse Connection}