Contact Information:
Mrs. Mary Gold
Federal Programs Coordinator
mgold@brenhamk-12.net
Mary Gold
Support for Students and Families in Transition

The Federal McKinney-Vento Act and Texas State Law guarantee that you can enroll in school if you live:

  • in a shelter (family shelter, domestic violence shelter, youth shelter, or transitional living program)
  • in a motel, hotel, or weekly rate housing
  • in a house or an apartment with more than one family because of economic hardship or loss
  • in an abandoned building or a car, at a campground, or on the street
  • in temporary foster care or with an adult who is not your parent or legal guardian
  • in substandard housing (no electricity, no water, and/or no heat)
    with friends or family because you are runaway or unaccompanied youth

If you live in one of these situations, you do not need to provide the following to enroll in school:

  • proof of residency
  • immunization records or TB skin test result
  • birth records
  • legal guardianship papers

You may also have the right to:

  • Continue attending the school you were last enrolled in, even if you've moved outside the school’s attendance zone or district.
  • Receive transportation from your current residence to your school of origin.
  • Qualify automatically for free meals through the Child Nutrition Programs.
  • Participate fully in all school activities and programs for which you are eligible.
  • Contact the district liaison to help resolve any disputes during the enrollment process.
CLICK Below to Access Additional Resources:
State Law - Texas Education Code:
All Texas public schools, charter schools, and education services centers, collectively known as local education agencies (LEAs), must follow federal rules concerning the education of homeless students. Texas Education Code (TEC) §§ 25.001, 25.002, and 29.153 address educational rights for homeless students. 
Tips for Educators and School Staff:
Our Homeless Resources page offers tools for staff and families to support homeless students. Resources include an Identification Tool for School Staff to help recognize at-risk students, links to Texas-specific data, a TEHCY Directory for local support, best practices for student success, and an FAQ on legal rights under ESSA. These resources ensure that homeless students receive the support they need.