To find a safe place: If you’re in trouble or need help, text SAFE and your current location (address, city, state) to 4HELP (44357) for immediate help.

McKinney-Vento legislation defines unaccompanied youth as a youth in a homeless situation who is not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian. A youth may also be unaccompanied but not homeless. Please involve the school liaison to assist any youth with enrollment.

Youth without a parent should be immediately enrolled and referred to the school McKinney-Vento Liaison for an assessment.

Unaccompanied youth in transition include young people:

• who have run away from home
• been thrown out of the home, and/or
• been abandoned by parents or guardians.

These young people are separated from their parents for a variety of reasons. Over 50% report being physically abused at home, and over a third report sexual abuse. Over two-thirds report that at least one of their parents abuses drugs or alcohol. For many of these young people, leaving home is a survival issue. Other youth are thrown out of their homes because they are pregnant, gay or lesbian, or because their parents believe they are old enough to take care of themselves. Over 50% of youth living in shelters report that their parents either told them to leave or knew they were leaving and did not care. (NCHE)

Once out of the home, unaccompanied youth are frequently victimized. As many as 50% have been assaulted or robbed; and one in ten runaways reports being raped. School may be the only safe and stable environment available to unaccompanied youth. Yet unaccompanied youth often face unique barriers to enrolling and succeeding in school. Without a parent or guardian to advocate for them and exercise parental rights, they are sometimes denied enrollment and remain out of school for extended periods of time. Unaccompanied youth also may not understand their educational rights or know how to acquire this information. (NCHE).

Resources

Please seek assistance from your SAP Counselor at your school. The information shared is confidential. You will not get in trouble.

Online ePass portal

Wrenn House (shelter for age 10-17)
908 W Morgan St, Raleigh, 27603, PH (919) 832-7866

Youth 18+, contact the Access Hub, (919) 443-0096, HW_AH@partnershipwake.org

Transition In Place
transitional housing for age 18-22 pregnant or parenting)
Phone (919) 833-3312, Cell (919) 980-2015

For assistance with a place to stay and other resources, please contact Haven House at 919-832-7866 (24 hours). You can also text or chat with them. See here for hours when someone is available. You will not get in trouble.