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Students Experiencing Homelessness

Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness

The Marin County Office of Education is dedicated to ensuring that children and youth experiencing homelessness have equal access to a comprehensive and quality education, including public preschool education, just like their peers. Our collaborative approach involves working closely with school districts and community agencies to eliminate barriers that hinder the identification, enrollment, attendance, and overall success in school. By promoting increased school attendance, engagement, and academic achievement, we strive to improve the educational outcomes and opportunities for students, in accordance with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.  To support this mission, the Marin County Office of Education offers technical assistance, training, and a range of valuable resources to school districts, educators, and agencies dedicated to serving children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness.

McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

Under the McKinney-Vento Act, children and youth experiencing homelessness are ensured educational rights and protections.  

The McKinney-Vento Act defines children and youth experiencing homelessness as those who:

  • Lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.
  • Live in cars, parks, or public or private places not ordinarily meant for a regular sleeping accomodation
  • Live in substandard housing or an abandoned building
  • Are left alone in hospitals
  • Share the housing with another family due to losing their home, financial hardship, natural disaster, fleeing domestic violence, or a similar reason
  • Live in motels or hotels
  • Live in emergency or transitional shelters
  • Live in trailer parks or campgrounds 
  • Are migratory children or unaccompanied youth living in any of these situations

Resources

211 Bay Area/Marin County

Dial 211 and access a centralized system that connects you a trained specialist who can provide you with information, referrals, and assistance to community resources and social services, such as housing, food, healthcare, counseling, employment, and more.  

Marin County Coordinated Entry System

The Marin Homeless Continuum of Care has implemented a Coordinated Entry System to ensure families experiencing homelessness have access to appropriate resources and services.

  • Individuals: Call 415-473-4663 Monday-Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
  • Families: Call Homeward Bound of Marin at 415-457-2115 Monday-Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
  • For requests for ADA assistance, call 415-473-4381, 415-473-3232 (TTY), or 711 for the California Relay Service.  You can also email DisabilityAccess@MarinCounty.org.
San Francisco/Marin Food Bank - Find Food Locator Tool

The Food Locator Tool can help you find food assistance programs and services in the San Francisco and Marin regions.  Enter your location or zip code to find nearby food distribution sites, food pantries, community kitchens, and other locations that offer free or low-cost food.

District Liaison Contacts

For more information, please contact Amy Carrera
acarrera@marinschools.org or 415-491-6648