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A student is homeless: right to stay in school, rides and meals

Use when a child or teen has no steady home (shelter, motel, car, camping, or staying with others after losing housing) and the family needs help keeping them in school.

In danger right now: call 911. Crisis or thoughts of suicide: call or text 988. Not sure where to start? Call the Silver City Gospel Mission: 575-388-5071. Police, fire or sheriff, not an emergency: 575-388-8840 (Central Dispatch). Print our list of phone numbers → · Food pantry calendar → · Free meals calendar → · Getting there: bus and rides →
These are the same steps our staff use when they help someone. "They" means the person who needs help: you, or someone you are helping. Go in order, and call ahead when you can.
In this guide
  1. Find out if the child counts as homeless for school
  2. Call the school's homeless student liaison
  3. What the child has a right to
  4. If the school says no
  5. Help with the rest of the family's needs

1Find out if the child counts as homeless for school

You can ask"Where are you and the kids sleeping right now?"
A federal law (McKinney-Vento) protects students who have no fixed, regular and adequate place to sleep at night.
That includes a shelter like Sierra House, a motel, a car, a tent or camper, or living with other people because they lost their home or ran out of money.
Teens on their own (not with a parent) are covered too.
You can say"Your children have rights at school. Being homeless is not their fault, and the school has a person whose job is to help."

2Call the school's homeless student liaison

Every school district has a liaison. Ask for them by name: "the McKinney-Vento liaison."
Silver Consolidated Schools
McKinney-Vento homeless student liaison
575-956-2000
2810 N Swan St, Silver City · Mon-Fri business hours
Website ↗
Cobre Consolidated Schools
McKinney-Vento homeless student liaison
575-537-4010
900 Central Ave, Bayard · Mon-Fri business hours
Website ↗
Deming Public Schools
Homeless student help (McKinney-Vento)
(575) 546-8841
1001 S Diamond St, Deming · Mon-Fri business hours
Website ↗
Lordsburg Municipal Schools
McKinney-Vento homeless student liaison
575-542-9361
401 W 4th St, Lordsburg · School days
Website ↗
At the Gospel MissionThe family can use the Mission phone for local calls.

3What the child has a right to

Stay in the same school (the "school of origin") even after moving across town or out of the district, if that is best for the child.
A ride to and from that school. The school arranges it. Ask the liaison.
Or enroll right away in the school where they are staying now, even without papers like a birth certificate, shot records, or proof of address.
Free school breakfast and lunch. Nearly all New Mexico public schools give every student free breakfast and lunch. Homeless students qualify for free meals in any case.
Help with school supplies, fees, sports and clubs. Ask the liaison what they can cover.
Young children can get priority for Head Start and preschool.
El Grito Head Start
Head Start preschool
575-538-5459
303 S. Cooper St., Silver City · Centers Mon-Fri 8 am-4 pm; children's program Mon-Fri 9 am-2:30 pm (school year)
Website ↗
If they get housing in the middle of the year, the child can still finish the school year at the same school.

4If the school says no

You can ask"Can I have that in writing, please?"
The school must give a written reason. The child gets to stay in the school the family chose while the problem is sorted out.
NM Public Education Department
Education for Homeless Children and Youth (state McKinney-Vento program)
505-827-5800
Santa Fe · M-F business hours
Website ↗
See the guide "A parent wants to talk with the school but doesn't know how".

5Help with the rest of the family's needs

At the Gospel MissionWeekday breakfast and lunch, showers and laundry, and the clothing bank (children's clothes too).
At the Gospel MissionWeekend snack bags help kids who get meals at school during the week.
At the Gospel MissionThe case worker can help with housing and benefits.
The Commons Center for Food Security & Sustainability
Alimento Para Los Ninos weekend backpacks
575-388-2988
501 E. 13th St., Silver City · School year
Website ↗
See the guide "A family with children has nowhere to sleep tonight".
See the guide "A child needs school meals, supplies, or help staying in school".

More help like this

Wants a GED or to learn to read, write or speak EnglishUse when an adult wants to finish high school (GED/HiSET), read or write better, learn English, or learn to use a computer.Can't read or understand a letter or formUse when someone got a letter, bill, notice or form they can't read or don't understand, because of reading, English, eyesight, or confusing words.Wants to go to college or trade schoolUse when an adult wants to start or go back to college, earn a certificate, learn a trade, or join an apprenticeship, and needs help applying or paying for it.A child has a disability and needs help at schoolUse when a parent thinks their child has a disability or learning problem, wants testing, an IEP or a 504 plan, or feels the school is not giving the help the child needs.Needs school records or a copy of a diplomaUse when someone needs a high school transcript, a copy of a diploma or GED/HiSET, or college records, for a job, training, college, the military or an ID.Wants to learn to use a computer or smartphoneUse when someone wants to learn basic computer or smartphone skills: turning it on, email, the internet, apps, online forms, video calls, or staying safe from scams.

See all guides in School and learning →

This guide is general information only, not medical, legal or other professional advice. Places and rules change, so please call before you go. In an emergency, call 911; in a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Disclaimer

Know a better way? Is something out of date?

If a number or place here is wrong, you know a better resource, or you know a better way to help, tell us. We automatically check reliable sources and update supported routine details. Unclear changes and safety guidance go to our staff for review.

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Print these steps · Find more places to get help · Hours and numbers change; please call ahead. Something wrong? Tell us
Questions, or want someone to walk through this with you? The Silver City Gospel Mission, 111 S. Texas St., Silver City, 575-388-5071, weekdays 9:00am-1:45pm. Everyone is welcome.