Frequently Asked Questions

Every Child Has the Right to a Free and Appropriate Public Education. The Schoolhouse Link Program is a partnership between the Sarasota Family YMCA and the Sarasota County School Board. The program serves as the District’s Official McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison and provides services to help families and youth that are homeless and in transition. The program’s goal is to ensure that students in transition are able to enroll, attend and succeed in school. Schoolhouse Link supports each student by helping create educational stability and by removing any barriers limiting their success.

Meanwhile, support for the whole family is provided by linking them with essential service providers and community resources. Schoolhouse Link also helps to build strong literacy skills by providing children and adults with education tutorial sessions, supplemental literacy material, and referrals.

What are McKinney-Vento Services?

McKinney-Vento Services are services that are provided to students in residential transition to help them enroll, attend and/or succeed in school. They include: free lunch, school supplies, uniforms, transportation and literacy programs.

My family is living with someone temporarily. Do we qualify?

Families that are “doubled-up” due to lack of affordable housing or economic hardship frequently qualify for services.

I am under 18 years old and not living with a legal guardian. Do I qualify?

Unaccompanied youth that lack a regular, adequate, and fixed nighttime residence qualify for McKinney-Vento services.

Can my child continue to attend their school even if we move out of its district?

Children in transition have the right to remain in their “school of origin” for the reminder of the school year if requested by their parent/guardian and feasible.

Can you find me shelter or housing?

We work with, and are able to, refer you to emergency shelter and social service providers in Sarasota.