District Support for Students and Families Experiencing Homelessness

The Homeless Support Program serves students experiencing homelessness enrolled in Bellingham Public Schools.听 Services are provided through existing programs and strategies that integrate individuals experiencing homeless with individuals in non-homeless situations. This program is designed to reduce isolation, maximize stability and maintain consistency for this population of children and youth. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law that guarantees all children and youth the right to an equal education regardless of their living situation.听 Protection under the McKinney-Vento Act extends to those who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.

Family Support Liaisons

Emily Humphrey-Krigbaum
C: 360-393-8738 (text or call)
emily.humphrey-krigbaum@bellinghamschools.org

Support Services for Youth & Families

Children who lack a听fixed, regular, and听adequate听nighttime residence听qualify for McKinney-Vento (homeless) services. This includes:

  • Sharing the housing of others due to economic hardship (doubled up/couch surfing)
  • Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, and camping grounds due to inadequate alternative accommodations.
  • Living in emergency or transitional shelters
    • This includes working with a housing case manager through community agencies like Opportunity Council or Lydia Place
  • Living in a public or private place not designated for humans to live
  • Living in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations
  • Migratory children living in the above circumstances
  • Unaccompanied youth (not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian)

All homeless students have the right to:

  • School stability 鈥 remain at their 鈥渟chool of origin.鈥
  • Immediate enrollment 鈥 even without the required registration documents
  • Transportation 鈥 to 鈥渟chool of origin鈥 if requested
  • Free school meals 鈥 students eligible for homeless services automatically qualify

Contact a Homeless Program Coordinator to determine if your child听is McKinney-Vento eligible and/or to request services.

Informational Resources

For more information about the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act听and the educational rights of children and youth in homeless situations, refer to the following documents:

Local Supports

  • , is a 21-day shelter for youth 13-17 through Northwest Youth Services and provides temporary shelter. Parental consent is required.
  • 听鈥 coordinated entry for homeless housing programs in our community.
  • Please view Community Resources (see left column) for more detailed information of local supports

National Resources Around Homelessness

  • 听鈥 NAEHCY is a voice and social conscience for the education of children and youth experiencing homelessness. NAEHCY accomplishes this through advocacy, partnerships, and education.
  • 听鈥 NCHE is the U.S. Department of Education鈥檚 technical assistance and information center in the area of homeless education.
  • 听鈥 Lawyers working to end homelessness.
  • 听鈥 NN4Y works to create a community of agencies, people and resources to champion the needs of homeless and runaway youth, to ensure that opportunities for growth and development be available to youth everywhere.

Community Resource Guide

Visit our听family support services page听for information on where to find additional support services in Whatcom County.

Isabel Meaker
Executive Director