Local Homeless Education Liaison

Nadia Oskolkoff
Director of Student Services
831-438-1820 ext: 103
noskolkoff@scottsvalleyusd.org

Scotts Valley Unified School District provides District-wide leadership and a supportive culture to emphasize the importance of providing equal access to school for homeless children and youths. Continuity at the school of origin is valued and barriers are removed to enroll homeless children and youth. We ensure that homeless children and youth have equal access to all programs and services of the district.

The goal is to have every homeless child in school every school day.

A homeless child needs to be enrolled immediately. Parents/Guardians do not need to provide birth certificates, social security numbers, or immunization records at the time of enrollment.

The District Director serves as the Homeless Liaison. Our Homeless Liaison works closely with Santa Cruz County Office of Education to support homeless children and youth.

McKinney-Vento Homeless Education

What is McKinney–Vento?

McKinney–Vento is a federal law that offers rights and protection to families in difficult or transitional living situations. All children of school age who are homeless are entitled to the same free and appropriate public education that is provided for non-homeless students.  Schools are required to remove any barriers, including enrollment, attendance, and academic success of homeless students. 

 Definition of Homelessness in Education

The federal government’s legal definition of homelessness based on the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act is students who lack fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, which includes:

• Shared housing due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason

• Living in a car, park, RV park, campsite, or similar location, hotel or motel, homeless shelter, or transitional housing.

• Children or youth living in bus stations, abandoned buildings, substandard housing facilities (e.g., no water, no heat, no electricity, no plumbing, or infestation), public or private places not designed for or ordinarily used as regular sleeping accommodations for human beings. Children or youth living in a shed or uncovered garage.

• Unaccompanied minors (children & youth under 18, not in the physical custody of a parent or court-appointed guardian).

• Migratory children or youth qualify as homeless because they are children who are living in similar circumstances as homeless children and youth.

 If this describes your family’s living situation, or if you are a student not living with a parent or guardian, please contact your District Homeless Liaison.

 McKinney-Vento 101 Short Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Owwwztok2pQ

Scotts Valley Unified School District is committed to serving foster youth in the best manner possible and therefore is following the recommendation of Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program through the Santa Cruz County Office of Education.

How to Connect to 211

• Websites: www.211santacruzcounty.org or www.211sanbenitocounty.org 

• Via Text: Send your zip code to 898-211

• Phone: Dial 211 or Call 831-223-4214 (San Benito County), 831-713-4111 (Santa Cruz County)

Santa Cruz County Resource Lists

• Covid-19 Family Resource List

• Tools and Resources for Renters

• Santa Cruz FREE Guide

• Watsonville FREE guide

• Student & Family Behavioral Health Support – English and Spanish

• Youth Resource List

• Children and Families Guides

• Children and Families Directory

• County Housing Support

• Housing

• United Way 2-1-1

• Mountain Community Resources

• San Lorenzo Valley Emergency

• Welcome Network

• Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County

• Hope's Closet

• Youth Resource Bank

• Santa Cruz Mountain Health Center

• Valley Churches United

211-211 Texting Campaigns

• Text “RIDE” to 831-316-4310 to get a Lyft code for a free ride to any of your non-emergency appointments.

• Benefit Kitchen can screen you to determine eligibility for 18 state, federal, and local resources. Text “BENEFITS” to 211-211 to get started. 

• See if you qualify for Low-Cost Internet Service in your area. Text  “GETACP” to 211-211 or visit TruConnect

• MyFreeTaxes.org provides information on cash-back credits such as CalEITC and can help connect you with free tax prep assistance. You can also text “Taxes” to 211-211 for information.

• United Ways of California has launched a text-based campaign dedicated to educating the public about the effects of stress and providing help in various ways, including stress-busting tips, information on general resources for financial stressors, and clinically-proven mental health support resources through our chatbot Gloria. To get started text "stress" to 211211.

Other 211 Programs

• DoorDash Program Food Delivery (Santa Cruz County Only)

  • Provides free delivery of dog and cat food bags via DoorDash call 211 or 844-984-0946

  • Provides free delivery of food pantry items via DoorDash call 211 or 844-984-0946

• Tobacco Cessation Program 

  • Did you know that your local 211 can connect you to quit programs if you want to quit smoking, vaping, or stop using tobacco products? Call 2-1-1 or text your zip code 898-211 to learn more.

• Grocery Worker’s Appreciation Fund | United Way Worldwide: Opens every month from 1st till 15th