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This directory is under active review and may be incomplete. Confirm urgent details directly; No One Left Outside does not guarantee eligibility, availability, funding, acceptance, or placement.

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Kentucky · What to do when…

Child needs school while housing is unstable

Ask the school district’s homeless liaison about enrollment, records and a safe way to get to class.

  1. Find the district liaison

    Use the KDE page below and its Homeless Coordinator by District list. Contact the district where you are staying. Ask for the person who helps students without stable housing.

    Source: Education for Homeless Children and Youth

  2. Explain where your child is staying

    Tell the liaison if you are in a shelter, motel, car or sharing a home because you lost housing. Ask them to check whether your child has McKinney-Vento rights.

    Source: Information for Students Experiencing Homelessness in Kentucky Schools

  3. Ask to start school now

    Eligible students can enroll right away, even without the usual papers. Tell staff which records are missing and ask for help getting them. Ask for the first class date.

    Source: Information for Students Experiencing Homelessness in Kentucky Schools

  4. Choose the school and ask about travel

    Ask the liaison to explain staying at the former school or using a local school. Ask about a ride, meals and class support. Get the plan for the next school day.

    Source: Information for Students Experiencing Homelessness in Kentucky Schools

  5. Get help if the district says no

    Ask for a written school placement decision and the steps to appeal. Keep the reply. Contact the state coordinator listed on KDE’s page if the local issue stays unresolved.

    Source: Education for Homeless Children and YouthSource: Information for Students Experiencing Homelessness in Kentucky Schools

If this does not work

If the front desk asks you to wait for papers, ask to speak with the homeless liaison. Keep names, dates and the reason you were given.

Confirm before you go

Confirm the school, start date, liaison, pickup plan and records staff will help obtain. Housing alone does not decide every case; ask for a review.

The agency decides who can get help. Funds, appointments, and space may change. Keep private records with you; this page does not ask for them.

Sources and check dates

Primary sources for this guide, exact excerpts, and dates checked
SourceExact excerptChecked
Kentucky Department of Education: Education for Homeless Children and Youth“To locate the homeless coordinator for a district visit KDE's Open House or reference the Homeless Coordinator by District document.”2026-10-08
Kentucky Department of Education: Information for Students Experiencing Homelessness in Kentucky Schools“Immediate enrollment in school, even without documents normally required for enrollment”2026-10-08
National 911 Program: Calling 911“An emergency is any situation that requires immediate assistance from the police, fire department or ambulance.”2026-10-07
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988 Lifeline“Call, text, or chat with a 988 Lifeline counselor for help during difficult moments anytime, day or night.”2026-10-07