Enrollment
Homeless & Foster Youth Education Program
At Torrance Unified, we recognize that youth in the foster care system or experiencing homelessness are our most vulnerable students, and often require additional interventions and supports to ensure success. If you think you may qualify as McKinney Vento or Foster, a hard copy of the Student Housing Questionnairre is available at the Family Welcome Enrollment Center or by contacting the district liaison listed below.
The federal government's legal definition of homelessness based on the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act which includes any student who is ...
- Lacking a regular, fixed and adequate nighttime residence including those students who are:
- "Temporarily doubled up" with family or friends due to a loss of housing and economic hardship
- Living in a shelter, hotel, or motel
- Living in a public place not designated for sleeping (cars, parks, abandoned buildings)
- Not in the physical custody of their parent or legal guardian
- Abandoned in a hospital
- Migrant and qualifies under any of the above
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ensures that children and youth experiencing homelessnes, including preschoolers, have equal access to the same free, appropriate educational programs as other children and youth. Federal and state law mandates the elimination of educational barriers facing homeless children and youth, to increase school stability and protect students from discrimination. Under this legislation, homeless children and youth are entitled to have access to the same educational experience and resources as all students. Eligible students have the right to:
- Receive a free, appropriate education
- Enroll immediately even if lacking documents
- Enroll in or stay in their school of origin (school last attended, school where they are residing or a school they attended in the last 15 months)
- Transportation to/from their school of origin
- Receive educartional services comparable to other students
- Dispute resolution process
If you are living within TUSD boundaries or were attending TUSD schools and are in any of the above situations, you may be eligible for McKinney Vento support services. Please contact the TUSD Homeless Liaison at gutierrez.nancy@tusd.org for more information.
Foster youth are children with an open child dependency court case who are placed by and for whom the State agency has placement and care responsibility.
This includes, but is not limited to, placements in foster family homes, foster homes of relatives, group homes, emergency shelters, residential facilities, child care institutions, and pre-adoptive homes.
All children in foster care have a county caseworker. In Los Angeles County, the agency is the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Other counties have different agency names, but provide the same services.
District Mckinney Vento Homeless & Foster Liaison
Nancy Gutierrez
gutierrez.nancy@tusd.org
(310)972 6146
- Welcome
- Enrollment Dates
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Age & Grade Level Placement Info (opens in new window)
- Change of Address
- Child Care
- Contact Us
- Enroll In-Person
- Enroll Online
- Homeless and Foster Youth
- Nutrition Services
- Open Enrollment
- Other FAQ Sheets
- Parent & Family Resources
- Permits
- Preparing for Enrollment
- School Locator (opens in new window)
- Transitional Kindergarten
- Homeless & Foster Services Brochure
- Student Residency Questionnaire
- Graduation Fillable Guide
- Foster Teen Parent Guide
- Homeless Resources
- Unaccompanied Youth LA Guide
- Download the Homeless Foster Youth Wish list
- Buy items from our Amazon Wishlist for TUSD Homeless Youth & Families
- Donate to help PTA Council Proect HOPE for Mckinney Vento Youth & Families
This site provides information using PDF, visit this link to download the Adobe Acrobat Reader DC software.