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Finding Support:
Homeless Education
If you, your family, or someone you care about is experiencing homelessness, you have access to resources and support. Your children have a right to public education. The pages linked below describe your and your children’s rights. They also provide access to state and national organizations that offer support and guidance for families experiencing homelessness, families that have been displaced, and migrant families.
  • Resources for Families Displaced by Wildfires and Other Natural Disasters. Children and youth who are displaced by disasters may be eligible for support like other students in homeless situations, under the McKinney-Vento Act. Below are national briefs and resource links to assist school districts and families that have been impacted and displaced by natural disasters. These resources and more can be found at NCHE’s Disaster Preparation and Response.

    • Connecting Schools and Displaced Students brief series.
      This brief series explains how the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act applies to students displaced by disaster and how the Act can assist these students and their families. Each brief in the series targets information either to youth experiencing homelessness on their own, relief agencies, or school district administrators. The series includes the following handbooks:
    • A McKinney-Vento Toolbox: Constructing a Robust and Rigorous Homeless Education Program, In Case of Disaster and Every Day.
      This toolbox is designed to help school districts implement the McKinney-Vento Act fully, so they can address the needs of children and youth experiencing homelessness on a daily basis and in times of disaster. The toolbox contains information and practical lessons learned and resources developed during the recovery process. Specifically, the following section addresses Implementation of the McKinney-Vento Act, including Disaster Response.

      A full copy of the toolbox can be found here: A McKinney-Vento Toolbox: Constructing a Robust and Rigorous Homeless Education Program, In Case of Disaster and Every Day.

    • Connecting Schools and Displaced Students handbook series.
      This handbook series explains how the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act applies to students displaced by disaster and how the Act can assist these students and their families. Each handbook in the series targets information either to parents of displaced children, relief agencies, or educators.

      The series includes the following handbooks:

        • After the Storm: Information for Parents on How Schools Can Help After Disasters (A Handbook for Parents)
        • Disaster Relief Agencies and Schools: Working Together to Ensure School Enrollment and Success (A Handbook for Local Liaisons and State Coordinators)
        • From the School Office to the Classroom: Strategies for Enrolling and Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness (A Handbook for Local Liaisons, Enrollment Staff, and District Administrators)
        • School as a Safety Net: Connecting Displaced Children With Educational and Support Services (A Handbook for Relief Agency Staff and Volunteers)

      CDE’s McKinney-Vento Office can provide your district with the Handbook Series at no cost. Please contact Kerry Wrenick (wrenick_k@cde.state.co.us) with the quantity being requested, contact name, and mailing address. If you prefer to order the Handbook Series directly, with a minimal cost associated, order handbooks here.

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2-1-1 Colorado is a confidential and multilingual service connecting people to vital resources across the state. No matter where you live in Colorado, you can find information about resources in your local community.
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Raising Colorado Kids Guide is brought to you by the Colorado Office of Early Childhood.

For general help, call 1-800-799-5876 or email  cdhs_oec_communications@state.co.us

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Raising Colorado Kids is brought to you by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood.

For general help, call 1-800-799-5876 or email  cdec_communications@state.co.us

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