Unaccompanied Youth Toolkit for Shelters and Service Providers
Welcome to NAEHCY’s Unaccompanied Youth Toolkit* for Shelters and Service Providers! The following table of contents shows all the documents included in the Toolkit. Click on a document title to access it.
Part 1: The Basics
1. McKinney-Vento 101
The basics of the McKinney-Vento Act’s Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program2. Protocol for Enrolling Unaccompanied Youth in School: Whom Do We Call?
3. McKinney-Vento Identification Checklist for Shelters and Service Providers
Tips on how and why shelters and other service providers can assist in identifying homeless students4. The HEARTH Act Basics
What the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act says about schools and service providers working together5. Collaborating to Support Youth’s Academic Success under the HEARTH Act
Tips on how service providers can work with schools to assist homeless youth
Part 2: McKinney-Vento FAFSA Week
6. McKinney-Vento FAFSA Week
Get your ticket to your future! How to implement a MV-FAFSA Week7. Sample Announcement for McKinney-Vento FAFSA Week
A sample announcement of a MV-FAFSA week to be used in newsletters, web pages, social media, posters etc.8. Sample Letter for Seniors for McKinney-Vento FAFSA Week
Sample letter to go out to all high school seniors during MV-FAFSA week9. PowerPoint Slides for Students for McKinney-Vento FAFSA Week
Some ideas to advertise and help students understand MV-FAFSA Week, using quotes from students10. Sample Letter and Script Outline for Staff for McKinney-Vento FAFSA Week
Sample letter to staff to introduce MV-FAFSA Week
Part 3: Assisting Homeless Unaccompanied Youth to College and Beyond
11. Obtaining Waivers for College Entrance Examinations and Application Fees
Basics on accessing waivers for ACT, SAT and college application fees12. FAFSA basics
The basic provisions for homeless unaccompanied youth in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)12a. Sample Letter to Verify Youth as Unaccompanied and Homeless for the FAFSA
13. Practical Tips to Help Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Obtain Financial Aid for College
Practical information on completing the FAFSA, working with Financial Aid Administrators, and seeking additional scholarship assistance14. Financial Aid and Income Tax
Basic information about how being an independent student for financial aid purposes affects a youth’s obligations to file income tax returns15. Support for Unaccompanied Youth in College
How high school counselors can assist students to prepare to be successful in college
Part 4: Access to Basic Services Tip Sheets
16. Access to Medicaid for Unaccompanied Youth
Basic information about Medicaid and barriers for unaccompanied youth17. Unaccompanied Youth’s Rights to Consent for Medical Treatment
Information about state laws that allow youth under 18 to consent for medical care18. Access to Social Security Benefits for Unaccompanied Youth
Tips to help eligible youth access Social Security for youth with disabilities and youth who have lost a parent19. Access to Workforce Investment Act Services for Unaccompanied Youth
Tips to help youth access Job Corps and Youth Services programs.20. Access to Temporary Aid for Needy Families (TANF) for Unaccompanied Youth
Tips for pregnant and parenting youth eligible for TANF21. Access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/Food Stamps) for Unaccompanied Youth
Tips to help youth access SNAP benefits22. Access to Shelter and Housing for Unaccompanied Youth
Basic information about barriers to youth accessing shelter and housing, with successful shelter models and tips for implementing them
Part 5: Training Resources
- Ready for the FAFSA, Power Point Training for High School Counselors
- Case Studies and Discussion Questions and Guides on Unaccompanied Youth and the FAFSA
- Quiz on Unaccompanied Youth and the FAFSA
- Higher Education for Unaccompanied Youth posters (English and Spanish)
* The Fine Print: Many of the topics covered in this Toolkit rely on individual state laws. While NAEHCY has attempted to provide the most complete, current, and accurate information possible, readers may wish to contact state agencies and/or legal aid directly for additional information and support. The Toolkit and its contents are not legal advice and should not be used as a substitute for obtaining professional legal advice.
