Washoe Country School District
Change Font Size
Children in Transition
WASHOE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
CHILDREN IN TRANSITION PROGRAM (HOMELESS CHILDREN)
Definition of Homeless
Based on the McKinney-Vento Act, the term "homeless individual" includes:
- An individual who lacks a fixed, regular, adequate (with electricity and plumbing) nighttime residence;
- An individual who has primary nighttime residence in a supervised, publicly or privately operated shelter for temporary accommodations (including welfare hotels, congregate shelters, and transitional housing for the mentally ill)
- An individual who sleeps in a public or private place not designated for, or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings (e.g. cars, parks, motels)
- Children living with a parent in a domestic violence shelter
- An individual who is, out of necessity, living with relatives or friends due to lack of housing
- Run-away children (under 18 years of age) and children and youths who have been abandoned or forced out of the home by parents or other caretakers, or such youth (between 18 and 20 years of age) who may still be eligible for educational services who:
- Temporarily reside in shelters awaiting assistance from social services agencies
- Live alone on the street or move from place to place between family members, friends or acquaintances
- Children waiting for foster care placement
- Children of migrant families who lack adequate housing
The Washoe County School District provides homeless children the opportunity to achieve the same high quality academic standards by eliminating barriers to their education. Homeless Liaisons with the Children in Transition program work closely with an advocate at every school in the district to identify over 1300 children yearly. Children living in motels, homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, Kids Cottage, doubled up, or an unaccompanied youth can receive assistance to remove barriers to school enrollment including, transportation to school of origin, nutrition and health services and summer school. Adequate basis needs of food, shelter and clothing for homeless children are a concern for Washoe County School District. The CIT program collaborates with our community through generous donations to provide the children with backpacks, school supplies, personal care items, shoes, clothing, and food. Even enrichment activities, such as field trips, sports, and musical instruments can be requested through the Children in Transition program to help normalize the academic life of the homeless child.
