McKinney-Vento Program

The Bakersfield City School District's McKinney-Vento Program supports students experiencing housing challenges. Our goal is to make sure students can continue learning without interruption, even during difficult times.

Your child may qualify if your family is:

• Staying with friends or relatives because you lost your housing or are experiencing financial hardship.

• Living in a motel or hotel.

• Staying in an emergency or transitional shelter.

• Living in a vehicle, campground, or another place not meant for permanent housing.

• Moving frequently because you do not have a permanent home.

If your child qualifies, they may be able to receive:

• Immediate school enrollment.

• The option to stay at their current school or enroll in the school closest to where they're living now.

• Transportation to and from school, when eligible.

• Nutrition support, school supplies and clothing assistance.

• Referrals to community resources and other support services.

Need help?

Our McKinney-Vento Team is here to answer your questions and help your family access available services. Please call 661-631-4910.

The Bakersfield City School District is committed to helping students in foster care feel supported, stay connected to school, and continue learning when their living situation changes. Students in foster care have special educational rights designed to provide stability and make transitions between homes or schools easier.

Educational rights:

Students in foster care may have the right to:

• Stay at their current school even if their foster care placement changes.
• Enroll in a new school right away if changing schools is in their best interest, even if all records or normally required items are not immediately available.
• Have school records transferred quickly when changing schools.
• Participate in the same programs, activities, and opportunities available to other students.
• Have school decisions made with their best interests in mind.
• Keep their grades protected when absences are related to court-ordered activities or foster care placement decisions.

How we can help:

BCSD has a Foster Youth Liaison who works with students, families, caregivers, and schools to make transitions easier. The liaison can help with enrollment, school placement, transferring records and grades, and making sure students receive the educational services and opportunities available to them.

Have questions?

Families and caregivers don't have to navigate school changes alone. Call 661-631-4910 for help understanding your student's rights and available support.