The Office of Homeless Youth (OHY) leads efforts to expand education, employment and economic opportunities for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness through collaboration with state agencies and community partners. This work includes supporting the Homeless Student Stability Program (HSSP) and participating in various advisory committees and workgroups to advance OHY’s strategic plan and create system change.
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Homeless Student Stability Program
The Homeless Student Stability Opportunity Gap Act, Chapter 157, Laws of 2016, aims to provide educational stability for students experiencing homelessness by promoting housing stability and encourage collaborative strategies between education and housing partners. This act established a two-pronged program supporting grantees that demonstrate a shared commitment to housing and school partnerships and implementing evidence‑informed approaches to address racial inequities. See HSSP Final Evaluation Report 2022-2025 (PDF).
Building Changes supports HSSP goals by providing technical assistance and program evaluation. To join their peer-learning group for education advocates, McKinney-Vento liaisons and other organizations supporting students and families, see School Housing Network.
- Homeless Student Stability Program (HSSP) is a grant managed by OHY, awarded to community-based organizations that are focused on providing housing stability services (RCW 43.185C.340).
- See Youth Supportive Services for OHY program grant information
- See OHY Funded Service Provider List (Excel) or OHY Resource Map (Google maps) to find HSSP providers
- Homeless Student Stability Education Program (HSSEP) is a grant managed by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, OSPI – Homeless Education grants, awarded directly to schools or school districts (RCW 28A.300.542).
Education and Employment Collaborative
OHY convenes the Education and Employment Collaborative (EEC) to share statewide resources and information, identify emerging needs, and collaborate on developing recommendations for OHY’s education and employment related priorities and strategic initiatives. EEC partners include:
- Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
- Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC)
- Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC)
- Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF)
- Health Care Authority (HCA)
- Division of Vocational Rehabilitation — Student and Youth Transition Services (DSHS)
- Employment Security Department (ESD)
- Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)
Resources
OHY Education and Employment Resource List (Excel) is a spreadsheet with all the following resources provided in one downloadable document
- McKinney-Vento Education of Homeless Children and Youth Assistance Act
- Building Changes — Student Homelessness Trainings for community-based organizations, McKinney-Vento liaisons, and school staff
- OSPI Homeless Education Liaison Contact List provides designated staff in each school district who coordinate services for students experiencing homelessness
- Resources for K-12 & Postsecondary Students for resources written by students, for students
- Homeless Youth Handbook | Education | Washington for resources about legal rights and responsibilities
- Washington State Governor’s Office of the Education Ombuds supports families by addressing K–12 concerns, resolving conflicts, training on engagement and advocacy, and using data to shape policy.
- OHY K-12 Homeless Education Quick Reference Guide (PDF)
- Washington Connection (Your Link to Services) Food Benefits (EBT/SNAP)
- Washington Healthplanfinder find medical and dental insurance providers
- Apple Health Teen Application Process Medicaid available for youth age 18 and under who are not residing with a parent or legal guardian
- Working Connections Child Care | DCYF subsidy program available for parenting students
- ID help for the unhoused | Washington State Department of Licensing
- Vital Records No Fee in Specific Circumstances | Washington State Department of Health people experiencing homelessness can get one free birth certificate if a government agency or homeless service provider asks for it. The person must have been born in Washington state and living in Washington now.
- I Am Here: Vital Document Legal Hotline for Youth | National Network for Youth 1-888-870-DOCS
For college students only
- Student Resources for Basic Needs | WSAC comprehensive list of resources by college or university
- Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness (SSEH) Program Information for Students
- Basic Food, Employment and Training Program (BFET) Information for Students helps people who receive food assistance get the training they need for better paying jobs and economic security.
- Community and Technical Colleges provide basic education for adults, high school completion and GED-preparation classes and testing centers to students at any age or education level.
- Find locations at Explore Our Colleges
- OSPI Open Doors Youth Reengagement supports youth, ages 16-21, who have left school or may not finish high school by age 21 to provide a way to move forward into college, training, or other opportunities after high school.
- Find local programs at Open Doors Locations (Smartsheet)
- Job Corps offers residential and non-residential programs for youth, ages 16-24, that offer pathways to a successful future without student debt.
- Washington Youth ChalleNGe Academy gives at-risk youth, ages 15.5-18, a safe and structured place to learn, prepare for jobs, and grow into responsible and productive members of their communities.
- Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (I-BEST) teaches literacy, work, and college-readiness skills to move through school and into living wage jobs faster.
- Ability to Benefit (ATB) provides financial aid for college or job training for students without a diploma. To qualify, students must join a career pathway program and either pass a test, finish six college credits, or enroll in High School+ and I-BEST.
FAFSA | Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Submitting a FAFSA is often the first step to accessing all types of financial assistance. If you have completed the FAFSA, you have already applied for both federal and state (WAFSA) financial aid.
- FAFSA and Youth Homelessness | School House Connection comprehensive resources
- Dependency Status | FAFSA – explanation of independent and dependent statuses
- Tips for Unaccompanied Homeless Youth | FAFSA
- Tip Sheet for Unaccompanied Homeless Youth | NASFAA
Federal Pell Grants assist students with a lot of financial need, usually working on their first college degree. Unlike loans, Pell Grants usually don’t need to be paid back.
WASFA | Washington Application for State Financial Aid
There are various reasons why you may choose not to file a FAFSA, including ineligibility due to immigration status, privacy concerns, or owing federal grant repayments. If you prefer not to file a FAFSA, you may instead file a WASFA for state aid only. Undocumented and DACA Washington residents are eligible for state financial aid.
- Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) comprehensive list of state financial aid programs, also known as opportunity pathways
- Washington College Grant (WA Grant)
- Passport to College – scholarships for students, under age 21, who have experienced foster care after age 13 or unaccompanied homelessness in the last year
- Opportunity Grant helps low-income students complete up to one year of college and certificate in high-wage, high-demand careers
Other scholarships
- School House Connection Scholarship Program for students who have experienced homelessness
- Scholarships For Low Income Students | College Success Foundation
Employment
- WorkSourceWA statewide employment and training services
- WIOA – Eligible Training Program Finder | CareerOneStop Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
- WIOA Youth Fact Sheet (PDF)
- American Job Center Finder | CareerOneStop free help to job seekers for a variety of career and employment-related needs
- Washington Peer Jobs centralized resource for peer support employment opportunities for individuals in the behavioral health and substance use recovery fields
- Employment | Washington | Homeless Youth resource about legal rights and responsibilities
Apprenticeships
- Passport to Apprenticeship
- Passport to Careers Guide | WSAC apprenticeships for young people who have experienced foster care after age 13 or unaccompanied homelessness in the last year. Must be enrolled prior to age 22.
- WA Grant for Apprenticeship | WSAC
- Apprenticeship Program Public find a Washington state approved apprenticeship program
- CONSTRUCT A CAREER
- Plan Your Future | WSAC support planning and resources to get needed education or training
- Career Bridge WA free career exploration and planning tool and where to find related programs
- Career Connect Washington job experiences for students of all ages and workers up to age 30
- Career Exploration | Washington Career Paths
- College & Career Knowledge guide to pursuing education and training after high school
- CareerOneStop GetMyFuture Portal locate training and education programs for anyone ages 14-24
- Division of Vocational Rehabilitation support building job skills, career exploration, and self-advocacy skills for young people, ages 14-24, with a disability
- Young Entrepreneur Academy | Startup Washington self-guided curriculum geared towards young adults ready to explore self-employment and entrepreneurship