Teens in Transition & Unaccompanied Youth
Teens in Transition: "Unaccompanied Youth"
An Unaccompanied Youth is a youth in a homeless situation who is not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian. They are living on their own without parental or guardian support. Unaccompanied youth are often "Couch Surfing", going from place to place or may be living in a car, hotel or doubled up with family or friends. Unaccompanied youth have the same rights as other students experiencing homelessness to enroll in school without a parent or guardian and to receive services under the McKinney-Vento Program.
If you are an unaccompanied youth and wish to continue your education and enroll in school, please contact our office. The Wichita Public Schools McKinney-Vento Program ensures that services and rights of unaccompanied youth are being met.
Examples of assistance that may be provided by our office:
- Assist with enrolling in school
- Provide immediate nutrition services
- Transportation if over 2.5 miles
- Help with applying for food assistance and medical insurance
- Provides school supplies and other items for school projects
- Clothing assistance
- Referrals to various community agencies for food, medical and other community resources
- Guidance in filling out college financial aid applications
- Provide cap and gown for graduates
- Provide unaccompanied youth a FAFSA letter for those wishing to attend college
High School Seniors
- If you are a high school senior in the McKinney-Vento Program and are on track to graduate, contact our office and we will order your cap and gown for you. Email Kowonia Bowen.
- If you are an unaccompanied youth with no parent or guardian support and are in our program, we can assist you by providing a letter for FAFSA. You must have already pre-enrolled at the college you plan on attending. You can email Kowonia Bowen.
- If you need any school supplies, hygiene or other items for school, contact our office at 316-973-4670 or your McKinney-Vento family support worker.