Schoolhouse Link
Every child has a right to a public education, but when your home is in turmoil, it can be overwhelming to navigate school and social services systems. Schoolhouse Link is here to be your advocate helping students in transition attend and succeed in school. Schoolhouse Link operates under a contract with the Sarasota County School Board and serves as the District's official "homeless liaison."
Need Help or have a question, email us at
4440 Beneva Rd.
Sarasota, FL 34233
941-923-6100
Click here to download our brochure.
McKinney-Vento Rights
McKinney-Vento Rights (Spanish)
Client Rights
Client Rights (Spanish)
McKinney-Vento Services
McKinney-Vento Services (McKinney-Vento Act of 1987 as last amended by Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015) are provided to students in residential transition to help them enroll, attend and/or succeed in school. In Sarasota County these services are provided through the Schoolhouse Link program, a partnership between the Safe Children Coalition, Inc. and the Sarasota County School Board. In addition, the program provides support to the entire family by linking them with essential service providers and community resources.
The federal McKinney-Vento Act guarantees school enrollment for anyone who, due to a lack of housing, does not have a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.
THIS ACT HELPS STUDENTS WHO ARE LIVING:
doubled-up with relatives or friends
in emergency or transitional shelters
in motels, hotels, trailer parks or campgrounds
awaiting permanent placement in foster care
in cars, parks, public places, bus or train stations or abandoned buildings
as a migratory child or unaccompanied youth
THIS ACT ENABLES STUDENTS IN TRANSITION TO:
enroll and attend school no matter where they live or how long they have lived there
have access to the same public education provided to housed children.
enroll in school and attend classes while required documentation is being gathered
request assistance with transportation to school
receive free lunch
Click here to watch more Homeless on Their Own videos.
EXTERNAL Resources
Unaccompanied youth face a unique set of challenges when it comes to finding a place to stay, accessing resources or even considering continued education. The resources below are additional places unaccompanied youth can access support. Additionally, Schoolhouse Link has a person dedicated to helping unaccompanied youth in transition.
National Safe Place & National Runaway Switchboard
www.1800runaway.org
Sarasota County Schools, McKinney-Vento Information
State and Federal Programs / Families in Transition
Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness, Need Help Now
NEED HELP NOW | Suncoast Partnership
All Faiths Food Bank, Food Finder
Food Finder – All Faiths Food Bank
SPARCC
Safe Place and Rape Crisis (SPARCC) | Saving Lives Today and Tomorrow
More Too Life
Human Trafficking Prevention, Identity Discovery Victim Services | More Too Life
Family Promise of South Sarasota County
Family Promise of South Sarasota County
Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities Sarasota and Manatee Counties - Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice
Jewish Family & Children Services
JFCS – Jewish Family & Children’s Service of the Suncoast
Department of Children and Families
ACCESS Florida - Florida Department of Children and Families
211, Information on Community Assistance Programs
211 Suncoast Cares · Get Connected. Get Help
Head Start/Early Head Start
Children First | Early Head Start Programs in Sarasota County
Child Find
Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resource System / Child Find
Schoolhouse Connection
McKinney-Vento Act: Quick Reference - SchoolHouse Connection
National Network for Youth
The Report on Mental Health + Well Being Of Young Adults Experiencing Homelessness
Florida State Law Related to Homeless Unaccompanied Youth
Statutes & Constitution: View Statutes : Online Sunshine