Families in Transition

Under the McKinney-Vento Act, the term “homeless children and youths” means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. 

Homeless children and youth who are:

• sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing or economic hardship
• living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds
• living in emergency or transitional shelters
• living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, or substandard housing

• Receive a free, appropriate public education
• Enroll in school immediately even if lacking documents normally required for enrollment
• Enroll in school and attend classes while the school gathers important documents
• Enroll in the local school or continue attending their school of origin, if preferred
• Receive transportation to and from school of origin, if requested
• Receive educational services comparable to those provided to other children, according to your children’s needs

Students are identified via online school enrollment process according to their living situation or circumstances.  SOS department staff identify families and assess to determine eligibility on a case by case basis. 

Once it is determined that a student/family meets the homeless definition under McKinney-Vento families are eligible to receive services through the Families in Transition program.  They remain eligible for the remainder of the year and eligibility is re-assessed every year to continue participation in the program.

SOS department staff are assigned to campuses and they work in collaboration with campus staff and other departments to provide supports/services as needed.  SOS staff campus assignments for Elementary, Junior High, and High School can be found in our Families in Transition page.

Referrals to our Families in Transition program can be made by phone or email.

Phone: 682-867-7668 

Email: studentoutreach@arlingtonisd.org