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Homeless Children & Youth Services

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About Homeless Children & Youth Services

The Monterey County Office of Education’s Homeless Children and Youth Services Program serves all Monterey County’s 24 school districts, 8 charter schools, MCOE’s alternative education programs, 14 state preschool programs, MCOE’s Head Start/Early Learning sites, our community colleges, and all shelters serving families and unaccompanied youth throughout Monterey County. It is our mission to provide leadership and support to all of our districts, charter schools, programs, homeless liaisons and community collaborative partners dedicated to improving the quality of life for our children.

This support includes professional development, technical assistance, advocacy, community representation, transportation assistance, tutoring, food and clothing, college and career support, and school supplies for preschool through community college students.

 

teacher in classroom teaching teenagers

Rights of Eligible Children & Youth

  • Right to Immediate Enrollment
  • Right to remain in school of origin
  • Right to receive transportation to and from the school of origin
  • Right to receive support for academic success
Homeless Children & Youth Services Program logo


Our program is the result of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act signed into law in 1987. This act established protections for all homeless children and youth by removing barriers to enrollment and educational success, and established services that must be provided by the schools and the county offices of education.

Donna Smith

Program Coordinator II - Homeless Services
Homeless Children & Youth Services

Veronica Lewis

Homeless Children & Youth Services Specialist
Homeless Children & Youth Services

Cristina Cazares

School Secretary - Bilingual
After School Activity Leader

Gloria Ramos

Educational Liaison I
Foster Youth & Homeless Children & Youth Services

Israel Arreola

D/HH Program Signing Para I
After School Activity Leader

Monterey County Facts
2022-2023

73,643

Students Enrolled in School

11,734

Qualified as Homeless

10,653

Were Doubled-Up

199

Lived in Hotels or Motels

289

Lived in Shelters

566

Were Unsheltered

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