- Santa Barbara County Education Office
- Transitional Youth Services Home
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Transitional Youth Services
About Our Program
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Vision
Equitable education for all youth
Mission
Improve academic outcomes for Santa Barbara County youth in foster care or experiencing homelessness
Values
Collaboration
Innovation
Integrity
Communication
Self-Care
Contact us for assistance accessing resources or with questions about student rights and available services and supports: 805-964-4710 x4420 or tys@sbceo.org
Request a training
Contacts
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Elizabeth Adams, JD
Manager
elizabethadams@sbceo.org
O:(805) 964-4711, ext. 4415
C:(805) 705-3148Alondra Broeffle
Office Assistant
tys@sbceo.org
O:(805) 964-4711, ext. 4420
C:(805) 729-2329Magaly Vazquez
Program Associate - Lompoc, Orcutt, Santa Maria-Bonita
mvazquez@sbceo.org
C:(805) 722-8997Elizabeth Avila Ramirez
Youth Support and Services Specialist, K-8
elizabethavilaramirez@sbceo.org
O:(805) 964-4711, ext. 4406
C:(805) 705-0005Gerardo Ayala
Health Advocate, Bilingual - South County
gayala@sbceo.org
O:(805) 964-4711, ext. 4430
C:(805) 319-8062Paola Rivera Barriga
Health Advocate, Bilingual - North County
priverabarriga@sbceo.org
O:(805) 349-0445, ext. 2006
C:(805) 696-0370
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Resources for District Liaisons
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SBCEO
Improving Academic Outcomes for Students Experiencing Foster Care or Homelessness Padlet
State & Federal Departments of Education
California Homeless Education Technical Assistance Center
Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program Technical Assistance Hub
National Center for Homeless Education
Nonprofit Organizations
National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth - a national membership association dedicated to educational equity and excellence for children and youth experiencing homelessness. NAEHCY’s vision is that every child and youth experiencing homelessness is successful in school, from early childhood through higher education.
John Burton Advocates for Youth - improves the quality of life for youth in California who have been in foster care or homeless by advocating for better laws, training communities to strengthen local practices and conducting research to inform policy solutions.
Point Source Youth - works alongside communities and partners to uplift the power of young people, especially historically marginalized young people by advancing meaningful and affirming solutions to end youth homelessness and place resources directly in their hands.
California Coalition for Youth - provides strong statewide policy leadership around issues concerning disconnected runaway and homeless youth and provides direct support to youth and families through their program, the California Youth Crisis Line.
iFoster - works to ensure that every child growing up outside of their biological home has the resources and opportunities they need to become successful, independent adults. They provide a free platform of resources for foster care youth, caregivers, and organizations.
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Homeless Education Information
Overview
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ensures educational rights and protections for children and youth experiencing homelessness. Santa Barbara County has the second highest percent of students experiencing homelessness in the state, with more than 10% of all our K-12 students meeting the definition of homeless. The Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO) provides support and resources to the 20 school districts in the county, Juvenile Court and Community Schools, and countywide charter schools to implement McKinney-Vento. Technical assistance and training is available to the district homeless liaisons and other staff who are involved in working with students experiencing homelessness. The homeless education services coordinator (Transitional Youth Services Manager) serves as the county liaison for purposes of appeals before appealing to the California Department of Education.
ACCESS THE MCKINNEY-VENTO ONLINE TOOLBOX
Definition
The term homeless children and youth means "individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence." This definition also includes:
- Children and youth who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason
- Children who may be living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or shelters.
- Children and youth who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings
- Children and youth who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings, or
- Migratory children who qualify as homeless because they are children who are living in similar circumstances listed above
Local Resources
Students who experience homelessness often face trauma and instability that affect their educational access and achievement. In order to help address these challenges, Transitional Youth Services provides the following services:
• Assistance with enrollment, transportation, access to school services
• Backpacks filled with school supplies
• Educational materials & games
• Hygiene kits
• Assistance obtaining lost or missing school records
• Coordination of services between schools and the social service system
• Advocacy and training on the educational needs of homeless and foster youthSchool districts also provide services to students and families experiencing homelessness. These services vary depending on the district and school site. We can assist you with referrals to school-based and community-based services such as:
• Tutoring and mentoring
• Assistance accessing and navigating educational and housing services
• Credit assessment, attendance checks, records review
• Ongoing educational case management
• Enrichment programsParents and guardians, students, school staff, and anyone working in the social services system may make a referral for services, or contact us for information or other assistance.
