Foster Youth Services and Homeless Family Supports

Happy children playing during sunset

Foster Youth Services

Our Foster Youth Program aims to provide educational support for children and youth in the foster care system by promoting their academic and personal success. Natomas USD provides services as part of a statewide system of programs designed to meet the unique educational needs of foster children and youth. These services include:

  • Liaison services between placement and educational agencies;
  • Notification of schools regarding placement of students in foster care;
  • Training for schools;
  • Collaboration between partner agencies, foster families, and group home staff;
  • Data collection to monitor and evaluate services;
  • Advocacy services to increase academic achievement;
  • Maintenance of a secure database containing basic education and health information for all foster children and youth in the district
Multiracial children holding hands
Shayla Allen Business Card

Homeless Family Supports

1. Definition of homelessness in public schools

Homeless children are entitled to the protections of the McKinney-Vento Act. The Act defines homeless children as “individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.” The Act goes on to give examples of children who would fall under this definition:

  • Children sharing housing due to economic hardship or loss of housing;
  • Children living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or campgrounds due to lack of alternative accommodations;
  • Children living in emergency or transitional shelters;
  • Children awaiting foster care placement;
  • Children whose primary nighttime residence is not ordinarily used as sleeping accommodation (e.g., park benches, etc.);
  • Children living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train station
2. What support and resources does NUSD provide? 
  • Assistance enrolling qualified students in school
  • Backpacks, school supplies, hygiene items
  • Bus passes and transportation support to and from school
  • Referral for medical, dental, mental health, or vision care
  • Referral for housing and shelter services
  • Referral to local food and clothing closets
  • Linkage to insurance enrollment
  • Support services for families on public assistance
  • Connections and referrals to many other community services and resources
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Sacramento County Resources for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness

Resources

Additional Information

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