Educational Rights Public Notice

The mission of the Homeless Education Program is to ensure that every child and youth experiencing homelessness receives free, appropriate, public educational opportunities; to provide training and support to schools, shelters and the community; and to increase awareness about the issues experienced by children, youth and families experiencing homelessness. Children and youth experiencing homelessness should have equal access to the same educational opportunities and services as permanently housed children and youth. In addition, children and youth experiencing homelessness should have the opportunity to meet the same challenging academic achievement standards to which all students are held. To ensure that families experiencing homelessness are well supported and that appropriate funds are provided to support students, OSSE regularly shares information regarding student status with schools in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

• DC Homeless Liaison Contact List
• Educational Rights for Parents and Students Experiencing Homelessness
• Frequently Asked Questions
• LEA Briefing Memo: Increase in the Number of Students Identified as Homeless
• Statistics & Reports

Grants and Funding

• FY 2020 McKinney-Vento (MKV) Homeless Assistance Grant

Higher Education Resources

• 2019 College Starter Kits
• Summer Bridge Program
• Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Documentation of Independent Student Status for the FAFSA and DCTAG

Homeless Awareness Training

• Ally Partner Program

Logistics and Legislation

• McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
• Education for Homeless Children and Youths Non-Regulatory Guidance

Useful Form(s)

• Dispute Resolution Guidelines and Appeals Process

Additional Resources

• 2017 Homeless Liaison Toolkit
• Bread for the City
• Capital Area Food Bank
• Covenant House Washington
• DC Department of Human Services
• DC Kids Ride Free Program
• DC Central Kitchen
• DC ReEngagement Center
• Interfaith Council of Metropolitan Washington
• Latin American Youth Center
• Mary’s Center
• National Alliance to End Homelessness
• National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY)
• National Coalition for the Homeless
• National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE)
• National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty
• National Network for Youth
• Sasha Bruce Youthwork
• SchoolHouse Connection
• So Others Might Eat (SOME)
• Stand Up For Kids - Washington, DC
• Survivor’s Advocates For Empowerment (SAFE)
• The Food Bank Network (Find food, health, housing, job training programs and more, anywhere)
• The Homeless Children’s Playtime Project
• Virginia Williams Family Resource Center

Emergency Housing Resources

• Shelter Hotline (for families in need of emergency housing assistance) - operated by the United Planning Organization (UPO). Please call (202) 399-7093 or 211.
• Covenant House Washington - for youth ages 18-24 who are in need of emergency housing assistance. Please call (202) 610-9600.
• Sasha Bruce Youthwork – for youth ages 11-17 who are in need of short-term shelter. Please call the emergency hotline at (202) 547-7777.

Contacts:

Sheryl Hamilton
Director, Community Learning and School Support
(202) 741-6404
[email protected]

Tanisha Brown
Manager, Education Policy and Compliance
(202) 741-4699
[email protected]

For guidance regarding McKinney-Vento Federal guidelines and policy, please contact:
Nicole Lee-Mwandha
Homeless Education State Coordinator
(202) 654-6123
[email protected]

For assistance with McKinney-Vento grant funding and compliance, please contact:
Danielle Rollins
Homeless Education Program Analyst
(202) 741-0255
[email protected]

For assistance with enrollment, transportation, trainings and community outreach, please contact:
Tasheen Stallings
Homeless Education Program Analyst
(202) 478-5927
[email protected]