Homeless Students 

The Savanna School District's Homeless Education Program was established to remove obstacles and guarantee that every student can fully participate in free public education. By offering comprehensive support services, the program aids students experiencing homelessness through a collaborative effort with school staff and community partners. This partnership creates opportunities that foster academic success and active participation in their education.

Subtitle VII-B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, as amended by Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), defines children and youth experiencing homelessness as follows: Students between the ages of 0 and 22 who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. 

Students have the right to:

• Go to school, no matter where they live or how long they have lived there
• Enroll in school without having a permanent address
• Enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documents normally required for enrollment
• Enroll in school and attend classes while the school gathers needed documentation (proof of residency, immunization/health records, school records, and/or legal guardianship papers)
• Attend school and participate in all school programs for which they are eligible, according to the student’s need
• Continue in the school they attended before they became homeless or the school they last attended (school of origin), as long as it is in the student’s best interest
• Receive assistance with public transportation to and from the school of origin, if feasible and if requested
• Automatically qualify for the school nutrition program

Savanna School District will:

• Provide a District Liaison between students and families and the school system
• Provide connections with shelters, community resources, and the Department of Social Services
• Provide information to parents/guardians/caregivers of their student’s rights pertaining to education
• Ensure children and youth experiencing homelessness have equal access to academic services, materials, and resources
• Provide school supplies and other essentials as available

Additional support services are available through the following:

Orange County Department of Education's HOPES Collaborative (click here).

Orange County Department of Education's HOPES Resources For Families (click here).

Foster Youth Students

For information on the differences and similarities within the law for foster and homeless youth, please click on the flyer that can be found here.

McKinney-Vento and Foster Youth District Liaison

For more information, contact Hipolito Murillo, homeless liaison at:

Student.SupportServices@savsd.org

714-236-3800

Para más información, comuníquese con Hipolito Murillo, enlace con personas sin hogar, en:

Student.SupportServices@savsd.org

714-236-3800