New York State Technical and Education Assistance Center for Homeless Students

Students who transfer schools often do worse in school than those who don't transfer. The McKinney-Vento Act can help solve this problem by allowing students to stay in the same school and get free transportation.

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Unaccompanied Youth

An unaccompanied youth is a student who is not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian; this includes youth who have run away from home, been kicked out of their homes, or been abandoned by parents. Find answers to commonly asked questions about unaccompanied youth. Click the links below to learn more about unaccompanied youth.

Unaccompanied Youth Issue Brief [PDF]

Find basic information about the rights of unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness, and learn what LEA liaisons can do to assist these students.

Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) Program Directory

Get a list of all of the New York State RHY Service Coordinators, as well as contact information for RHY programs and agencies, listed by county.

Designation of Person in Parental Relation Form [Word doc]

If a parent is unable to make education or health decisions for a child, he or she may temporarily designate another person to make those decisions on behalf of the student. The person who takes on this responsibility is called the "designee" or the person designated as a person in parental relation to the child. The parent can limit this agreement to a certain time period or certain types of decisions, as long as these limitations are noted in the agreement.

Caregiver Authorization Form [PDF]

School districts may develop a caregiver form that establishes the responsibilities of caregivers and requests caregivers' contact information in place of traditional proof of guardianship for unaccompanied youth. This form should be carefully created to avoid barriers to a student's full participation in school.