By: Center for Children's Advocacy
Have you been moving around a lot?
Have you been living in temporary places?
Did you have to change schools even though you didn’t want to ?
If your family or you don’t have a permanent place to live, there are laws to help you stay in school.
If you:
- were kicked out of your house, or
- ran away from home, or
- are living in a shelter, DCF STAR Home, or DCF Diagnostic Center, or
If your family or you:
- are living with another family because you lost your housing, or
- are living in a motel, hotel, trailer park, or camping ground because you lost your housing, or
- are living in a shelter, or
- have no place to live,
Then you have certain legal rights as a homeless student.
Even if you have a temporary place to stay, you may still be able to get help.
I’ve been moving around a lot because I don’t have a permanent place to live. Do I have to leave my school if I move to another town or school district?
You have a right to choose between the local school where you are now living, the school you attended before you lost your housing, or the school where you were last enrolled.
How will I get to school every day?
You have a legal right to get transportation back to your old school, if that is what you, or your parent/guardian, believe is in your best interest. Call the homeless liaison in your old school district to arrange for transportation. This might be a bus, or a bus pass, or even a taxi.
The school said I can’t be enrolled until they get the records from my old school. How long do I have to wait to be enrolled?
If you are a homeless student you have the right to be enrolled immediately, even if you don’t have proof of residency, immunizations, school records, or other documents. If the school disagrees with you, you still have the right to be enrolled immediately while the disagreement is worked out. Call us if you have any questions about this.
What about after-school activities?
You have the right to be involved in all school activities.
How can I enroll in school if I am not living with my parent/guardian?
Your school district must help you enroll if you are by yourself. You are considered an “unaccompanied youth.”
The school district has to have a person to help you. This person is called the homeless liaison. If you cannot find him/her, call the school district and ask. If that doesn’t work, you can find the homeless liaison for every school district in Connecticut at www.sde.ct.gov in their Liaison Catalog. Call us if you need help.
Do I have to leave my school once I find a place to live?
If you find permanent housing during the school year, the law allows you to stay in your school for the rest of the school year, if it is in your best interest.
Can I apply for cash assistance if I am homeless?
You cannot be turned away from applying for cash assistance, food stamps, health insurance, or work training programs just because you are homeless. As long as you fit into the program rules, you can apply for these services through your local Department of Social Services (DSS) office.
Where can I get help?
If your family or you have moved around a lot because you do not have permanent housing, there is a law that may protect you from having to change schools every time you move.
This law, called the McKinney-Vento Act, applies to anyone who is homeless, even if they are staying in a shelter or a motel.
If you have questions about your legal rights, call CCA’s Teen Legal Advocacy Clinic at 860-570-5327 or 203-223-8975.
Reprinted with permission by Center for Children’s Advocacy.
Center for Children's Advocacy
University of Connecticut School of Law
65 Elizabeth Street, Hartford, CT 06105
>www.kidscounsel.org
