Bright Paths Program: Foster and Homeless Youth Services
Foster & Homeless Youth Staff
Staff | Title | Phone |
Katina Austin, Ed.D. | Program Administrator-Special Programs & Parent Engagement, AB 490 Foster Youth Liaison | 209-325-2112 |
Niza Crispin-Hernandez | Program Manager-Homeless/Foster Youth | 209-325-2113 |
Stephanie Valdivia-Alvarez | Children & Youth Liaison | 209-325-2114 |
Mabel Mares | Children & Youth Clerk Typist II-Bilingual | 209-325-2133 |
Forms
- Intake and Referral Forms-Bright Paths Program/Foster&Homeless
- PDF Intake and Referral Form (English)
- PDF Intake and Referral Form (Spanish)
- Electronic Intake and Referral Form
Bright Paths Program Coordinated access for McKinney-Vento Students
Clients
Students(s)/clients who meet the McKinney-Vento Act eligibility definition. Children and youth who lack fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.
Access Points
Client accesses a single entry point where they are registered, identify and meet the McKinney-Vento definition (school enrollment process, Homeless Liaison, and/or outside agencies).
Assessment
The client is screened using an assessment tool to determine their needs and eligibility (Bright Paths/ McKinney-Vento Intake Form & Student Service Questionnaire). Form is scanned and/or emailed to the Homeless Liaison.
Ongoing Services as Needed
The Bright Paths/McKinney-Vento Program will follow up with the client to check on progress and continue rendering services. This is determined on a case-by-case basis based on the best interest of the client.
Services Rendered for Clients
Bright Paths/McKinney-Vento Program renders services. Client is referred to internal and external services.
Prioritization for Clients Assessed
Based on the priorities set by Bright Paths/McKinney-Vento Program assessment, the client is ranked on a priority as follows: Unaccompanied Youth, Place not meant for human habitation, Shelters, Hotels/Motel, Doubled-Up.
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CA Ed Code 48850. (a) (1) It is the intent of the Legislature to ensure that all pupils in foster care and those who are homeless, as defined by the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. Sec.11301 et seq.), have a meaningful opportunity to meet the challenging state pupil academic achievement standards to which all pupils are held. In fulfilling their responsibilities to these pupils, educators, county placing agencies, care providers, advocates, and the juvenile courts shall work together to maintain stable school placements and to ensure that each pupil is placed in the least restrictive educational programs, and has access to the academic resources, services, and extracurricular and enrichment activities that are available to all pupils, including, but not necessarily limited to, interscholastic sports administered by the California Interscholastic Federation. In all instances, educational and school placement decisions shall be based on the best interests of the child and shall consider, among other factors, educational stability and the opportunity to be educated in the least restrictive educational setting necessary to achieve academic progress. (2) A foster child who changes residences pursuant to a court order or decision of a child welfare worker or a homeless child or youth shall be immediately deemed to meet all residency requirements for participation in interscholastic sports or other extracurricular activities. (3) (A) Pursuant to the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 11301 et seq.), public schools, including charter schools, and county offices of education shall immediately enroll a homeless child or youth seeking enrollment except where the enrollment would be in conflict with subdivision (d) of Section 47605.