Staying in a shelter
Sharing housing with others due to loss of housing or economic hardship
Living in a car, park, campground, abandoned building, or other inadequate accommodation
Temporarily living in a motel or hotel due to loss of housing
A student under the age of 18 living apart from parent(s) or guardian

You may qualify for certain rights and protections under the federal McKinney-Veto Act.

Eligible students have the right to:

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 needed documents
Enroll in the local school; or continue attending their school of origin (the school they attended when permanently housed or the school in which they were last enrolled), if that is their preference.
If the school district believes that the school selected is not in his/her best interest, then the district must provide the student with a written explanation of its position and inform the student of his/her right to appeal its decision.
Receive transportation to and from the school of origin, if requested.
Receive educational services comparable to those provided to other students, according to the students’ needs.

If you believe you may be eligible, contact your Homeless and Foster Youth Liaison to find out what services and supports may be available:

Please visit the following site to access additional resources:

CDE’s RESOURCE PAGE

GALS LA Homeless Liaison: Erica Younan

Email: eyounan@galsla.org

Phone: 818.389.1184

Human Trafficking Resources

Recursos de Trata de Personas

Coaching gratuito de salud mental para estudiantes y familias

Children of the Night

14530 Sylvan Street

Van Nuys, CA 91411

(818) 908-4474

lois@childrenofthenight.org

24-hour hotline: 800-551-1300

CAST

Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking

5042 Wilshire Boulevard #586,

Los Angeles, CA 90036

24-hour hotline: 888-539-2373

JOURNEY OUT

7136 Haskell Avenue

Suite 125

Van Nuys, CA 91406

818-988-4970

info@journeyout.org

Bullying Resources

Notice of Synthetic Drugs/Fentanyl Dangers

Pupil Safety – Parental Notification on Synthetic Drugs

Overview

Assembly Bill 889 (AB 889), a bipartisan measure signed into law on July 27, 2023, adds Section 48985.5 to the California Education Code. This law requires public schools, county offices of education, and charter schools to annually inform parents and guardians about the dangers of synthetic drugs, including fentanyl, at the start of each school year.

The Growing Danger of Fentanyl

The misuse of opioids and prescription medications is an ongoing concern, but fentanyl use has risen dramatically across the U.S., posing a severe threat to public health.

"Fentanyl is the single deadliest drug threat our nation has ever encountered," said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. "Fentanyl is everywhere. From large metropolitan areas to rural America, no community is safe from this poison."

Fentanyl is 50 times stronger than morphine and is increasingly found in counterfeit pills and other substances, including marijuana and vaping products, making it nearly impossible to detect. Schools and families must stay informed to help prevent overdose deaths and fentanyl poisoning among youth.

The best prevention is talking to your student about never taking any medication that doesn’t come from their doctor. This includes never taking pills, even from friends. This is a conversation that can literally save your child’s life.

Other prevention strategies include:

Open Communication: One of the best ways to protect youth from substances is by having open communication and educating them on the risks of substance use. Listening to them without judging is a critical tool you can provide as their trusted adult.
Look for Changes in Behavior: Look out for changes in behavior, such as irregular eating or sleeping patterns, low energy, general signs of depression or anxiety, unusual irritability, slipping grades, lack of interest in activities they love, and even drastic clothing style changes. Trust your instincts. If you notice a change, ask about it.
Monitor Social Media: Talk to your child and monitor their social media use. The online environment provides platforms for people to sell substances. Substances can be offered by someone met online

How to recognize a fentanyl overdose?

Cannot be woken up or is not moving
Breathing is slow or absent
Discoloration of lips and nails
Choking or coughing, gurgling sounds
Cold or clammy skin
Dizziness or disorientation
Pupils extremely small

If you think someone is having an overdose, call 911 immediately and wait with the person until help arrives.

Here are some trusted resources for information on opioid and fentanyl prevention, addiction support, and emergency help:

National & Government Resources

DEA One Pill Can Kill – Information on counterfeit pills and fentanyl dangers.
🔗 https://www.dea.gov/onepill
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Opioid Overdose Prevention
🔗 https://www.cdc.gov/opioids/
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Find treatment services: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) (Free, Confidential, 24/7)
Opioid Treatment Programs: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) – Science-based information on fentanyl and addiction.
🔗 https://nida.nih.gov
Stop Overdose California – Resources on naloxone, overdose prevention, and treatment options.
🔗 https://www.stopoverdose.org

Youth & School-Based Prevention Programs

Song for Charlie – Education campaign about fake pills and fentanyl risks.
🔗 https://www.songforcharlie.org
National Fentanyl Awareness Day – Resources for schools, parents, and youth.
🔗 https://www.fentanylawarenessday.org
Partnership to End Addiction – Parent-focused guidance and prevention tools.
🔗 https://drugfree.org

Emergency & Support Services

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Free support for individuals in crisis or struggling with substance use.
📞 Dial 988 or visit 🔗 https://988lifeline.org
Never Use Alone Hotline – For people using substances who want a safety check.
📞 1-800-484-3731

Free Behavioral Health Coaching for Students and Families

San Fernando Valley Community Mental Health Center - Counseling