Information for Students
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Youth who are between the ages of 21 and 24 and who are unaccompanied and homeless, or self-supporting and at risk of being homeless, qualify for a homeless youth determination, and will be considered independent students.
Who Qualifies As Homeless In Our District?
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Under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act, if you or your family lives in any of the following situations you may qualify for services from Project REACH:
- In a transitional, domestic, emergency shelter or youth shelter
- In a motel or hotel
- Temporarily staying with family or friends because you have lost your housing and have no place to stay
- Staying in emergency foster care (awaiting placement)
- In the community, a car, on the street, or in and abandoned building.
If you are currently staying in one of these situations, please contact the homeless contact, school social worker, your principal or a teacher in your school and ask for assistance. You can also call us directly at 651-632-3790.
What are my rights?
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Students in Homeless Situations Have the Right to:
Under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act, if you are homeless you have the right to:
- Stay in school and attend the school you are currently attending
- Enroll in school without a permanent address, immunizations or school records
- Get free school meals without delay
- Get transportation to school when feasible
- Go to school with non-homeless students
- Receive other educational services you may need
Dispute Resolution Procedures
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Families and youth in homeless situations may be unaware of their right to dispute placement and enrollment decisions. When disputes are raised, too often, students are kept out of school during the dispute resolution process. This interruption in education can severely damage students’ academic progress. Saint Paul Public School Policy 503.01 requires that disputes regarding the educational placement of a student in a homeless situation will be expeditiously addressed through a dispute resolution process. Parents or guardians and unaccompanied youth must be informed of the process and in the event of the dispute, the student must be immediately enrolled in the school of choice while the dispute is being resolved.
If a family or youth in homeless situations attending school wants to pursue their right to a dispute or if the district disagrees with a parent, guardian or homeless youth regarding an issue related to the rights of a homeless student, the following steps must be taken:
The school district must immediately enroll the students and arrange for transportation and other services as appropriate.
With the involvement of the Title I Homeless Liaison, (Heather Alden, Heather.Alden@spps.org, Office: 651-744-7173 • Cell: 651-231-0404) attempt to discuss the issues to determine if more information is needed to resolve the issue.
If the issue cannot be resolved, a letter will be issued the parent/guardian or youth explaining the district’s position as to the homelessness-related dispute. In this letter, it is important to include referrals the district Ombudsperson (Dana Abrams 651-767-8394), advocates or attorneys.
Either party may send a written request to the Minnesota Department of Education Homeless State Coordinator asking the State Coordinator (Roberto Reyes, 651 582-8302) to review such decision compliance with applicable law. Such request must include any documentation related to the dispute resolution proceeding.
The State Coordinator may request any additional information from either party he or she deems relevant in resolving the issue.
Resources
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College Students
Get help for college students experiencing homelessness at the Homeless Youth and Higher Education or MoneyGeek websites.
Helping Hand: Resources & Support for Low Income College Students: https://www.publicservicedegrees.org/resources/low-income-college-students/
Resources & Scholarships for Students experiencing homelessness: https://www.publicservicedegrees.org/resources/higher-education-resources-for-homeless-students/
Both guides help students learn about assistance programs and resources they can take advantage of to help get college ready, find housing, afford tuition, and more. All of us at STEPS believe everyone should have the chance to go to college and achieve their career dreams regardless of the financial wherewithal, and creating guides like these are how we're helping make that happen.
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Emergency Shelter
If you need assistance finding youth emergency shelter you can can the Ramsey County Youth Crisis Response number at 651-444-5757.
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Shelter
Get help at Youth Services Network Minnesota or download the app on Apple or Google "YSNMN".
Or call 651-444-5757 -
Street Outreach Worker
To reach a street outreach worker after hours in the Twin Cities, you can call 612-354-3345.
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Student Renter's Guide
Find renting advice and resources in the Student Renter's Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
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If I cannot stay at home, where do I start to get help?
You can call the Bridge for Runaway Youth in the Twin Cities at 612-377-8800 or Safe House at 651-644-3446.
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What youth shelters are available for me to stay at?
Shelter availabilty changes every day. You can check on Facebook for Streetworks Collaborative or call 651-266-4143 in Ramsey County.
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If I haven’t attended school for awhile and I want to re-enroll what should I do?
Contact our Student Placement Center located at 2102 University Ave. in Saint Paul or call them at 651-632-3700.
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Can I apply for financial aid for college if I am homeless and do not live with my parents?
Yes. More information regarding higher education assistance for students experiecing homelessness can be found here: http://www.naehcy.org/educational-resources/higher-ed
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I'm behind in credits, what can I do?
You can enroll in ALC or additional afterschool or summer programs available through your school.
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I need to work but want to go to school. Can I do both?
Yes
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Where can I go to get assistance with a GED?
Hubb Center; 1030 University Ave. W; St Paul, MN 55104 651 290-4822
Safe Zone; 308 Prince St.; St. Paul, MN 55101 651 224-9944 -
I’ve missed school and my school has dropped me. What can I do?
Call the current school you were attending and speak with the School Counselor or the Student Placement Center at 651 632-3701.
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I have a young child and still want to attend school? What are my options?
Call and make an appoint at the Student Placement Center to discus your options, 651-632-3701.
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Where can I go for other resources like food, clothing, or medical help?
Call First Call for Help at 211 or 651 291-0211
Local County Agencies
Local Food Shelves