Alma Fuerte's goal  is to reduce the disruption in the educational lives of children and youth experiencing homelessness.

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Homeless Liaison in Ms. Adriani Leon.

She can be reached by email at adriani.leon@almafuerteps.org or by phone at (626) 204-5265.​​

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As a community school, our front office staff is also trained to help unhoused families navigate through the enrollment process.

 

In order to help identify unhoused families, Alma Fuerte administers a housing questionnaire to all parents or guardians upon enrollment and annually in the fall. 

 

How does the law define “Homeless children and youth?”

The term “homeless children and youth” means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence and includes children and youth who:

(1) Are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters, or are abandoned in hospitals;

(2) Have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as regular sleeping accommodations for human beings;

(3) Are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and/or

(4) Migratory children and unaccompanied youth (youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian) may be considered homeless if they meet the above definition of “homeless.”

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Many families who are eligible for protection under McKinney Vento do not consider themselves homeless. For example, families living with grandparents or uncles because they cannot afford other accommodations are considered homeless, even though they may have been in the same home for years.

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Unhoused students have the right to:

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• Go to school, no matter where you live or how long you have lived there. You must be given access to the same public education provided to other students.

• Continue in the school you attended before you became homeless or the school you last attended, if that is your choice and is feasible. The school district’s local liaison for homeless education must assist you, if needed, and offer you the right to appeal a decision regarding your choice of school if it goes against your wishes.

• Receive transportation to the school you attended before you became homeless or the school you last attended, if you request such transportation.

• Attend a school and participate in school programs with students who are not homeless. Students cannot be separated from the regular school program because they are homeless. When you move, you should do the following:

• Enroll in school without giving a permanent address. Schools cannot require proof of residency that might prevent or delay school enrollment.

• Enroll and attend classes while the school arranges for the transfer of school and immunization records or any other documents required for enrollment.

• Enroll and attend classes in the school of your choice even while the school and you seek to resolve a dispute over enrollment.

• Receive the same special programs and services, if needed, as provided to all other students served in these programs.

• Receive transportation to school and to school programs.

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Keep us in the loop!

• Tell your teachers anything that you think they need to know to help your family navigate school.

• Ask us for assistance with clothing and supplies, if needed.

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National Center for Homeless Education at the toll-free HelpLine number: 1-800-308-2145 

 

If you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out!
 

Your privacy is of utmost importance to us.​

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