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Unhoused Youth & Family Support

Under the McKinney-Vento Act, students experiencing homelessness—including living temporarily with others, in motels, shelters, or unstable housing—have important rights and protections.

Students in Petaluma who are experiencing homelessness--including being doubled up in insufficient or unstable situations due to economic or other necessity, living on the street or couch-surfing--have certain rights and are eligible for supports through the school district, including free lunch, school supplies and assistance with transportation. Petaluma City Schools works to assist students experiencing housing transition, instability, and homelessness to enroll in school, attend regularly, and succeed academically.

You have the right to:

  • Enroll in school immediately
  • Stay in your school of origin (if in your best interest)
  • Receive transportation
  • Access support for school success

If you think this applies to your family, contact:
Jackie Sandoval, Family Mentor
707-778-4626 | jsandovalgarcia@petk12.org

Please see these helpful Petaluma resources / Por favor, revisa estos recursos útiles de Petaluma:


  • Petaluma Family Resource Center

    The Petaluma Family Resource Center at McDowell School (FRC) serves the many low-income and vulnerable families at McDowell Elementary School and is now expanding to support families throughout Petaluma City Schools. 

    Learn More
  • HomeFirst

    HomeFirst is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to ending homelessness in Sonoma County. They offer a comprehensive range of services, including emergency shelter, interim housing, street outreach, and case management. Their programs prioritize individuals and families with the greatest needs, connecting them to permanent housing solutions and supportive services.

    Visit Website
  • Keep People Housed

    Keep People Housed is a countywide initiative aimed at preventing homelessness by offering temporary financial assistance and supportive services to residents at risk of losing their housing. The program provides aid for back rent, move-in costs, utilities, and other housing-related expenses. Priority is given to households facing the highest risk of homelessness, and participants engage in housing-focused services tailored to their needs.

    Visit Website
  • Una Vida

    Una Vida is a grassroots nonprofit organization in Petaluma dedicated to empowering vulnerable families and fostering community connections. They combat hunger through regular food pantries and host biannual clothing giveaways to ensure families have access to essential resources. Additionally, Una Vida engages local gardeners in their Food Security Garden Network, distributing fresh produce to those in need. Their mission centers on building community, inspiring change, and promoting a lifestyle of service.

    Visit Website

Who is eligible for McKinney Vento Support?

Students who are:

  • Temporarily living in a motel, hotel or single-room occupancy (SRO) due to loss of housing, economic hardship, natural disaster, or similar reason
  • Temporarily living with another family(s) due to loss of housing, economic hardship, natural disaster, lack of adequate housing, or similar reason (aka “doubled-up” or “tripled up”)
  • Living in a car, park, trailer, campground, abandoned building, on the streets, or other inadequate accommodations (i.e., lack of water, electricity, or heat)
  • Living in a shelter (family, domestic violence, youth shelter, or transitional living program)
  • Living with friends or family because they run away or are an unaccompanied youth

What rights do eligible students have?

Eligible students have these rights under the McKinney Vento Act:

  • Right to immediate school enrollment even when records are not present
  • Right to remain in the school of origin, if in the student’s best interest
  • Right to receive transportation to and from the school of origin
  • Right to receive support for academic success

If your family is experiencing homelessness or are unsure if this status applies to you, please contact: 
Jackie Sandoval, Family Mentor
707-778-4626
jsandovalgarcia@petk12.org

Housing Resources / Recursos de Vivienda


  • Keep People Housed


    The Keep People Housed – Sonoma County Homelessness Prevention Program provides temporary financial assistance and services to eligible Sonoma County residents at high risk of homelessness or housing loss. Assistance can include back rent, move-in costs, rental assistance, utilities, and other housing-related expenses. Households prioritized for assistance must be willing to engage in housing-focused services for up to six months or more, depending on the household's situation.

    Visit Website
  • HomeFirst

    HomeFirst’s Petaluma Outreach Team supports people experiencing homelessness on the streets and in encampments in South Sonoma County. Call (707) 277-1407

    Services:

    • Coordinated Entry Assessments and follow-up
    • Housing problem solving
    • Housing action planning
    • Emergency shelter connection
    • Application support with food stamps, general assistance, SSI/SSDI, subsidized phone programs, and MediCal
    • Connection to physical and mental health services
    • Support obtaining documents crucial to housing success, such as ID, Social Security Card, DD214, disability and income documentation
    • Legal advocacy and services connection
    Visit Website
  • Petaluma People Services Center

    At PPSC, we are dedicated to ensuring equitable access to safe and affordable housing for all individuals and families. Whether you're in need of fair housing assistance or searching for rental assistance opportunities, we're here to support you every step of the way.

    Visit Website

Food Resources / Recursos Alimentarios


  • Una Vida

    Una Vida fights hunger by hosting food pantries for the community. Current times are: the first and third Tuesday of every month from 4:00-5:00pm at Hillside Church (2689 Old Adobe Road, Petaluma) and every Saturday at 11:30am at United Church of Christ (825 Middlefield Drive, Petaluma).

    Visit Website
  • Catholic Charities

    Food distribution throughout Sonoma County

    Visit Website
  • Redwood Empire Food Bank

    The Redwood Empire Food Bank has many programs to help get food to Sonoma County families: the Food Connections Resource Center, Groceries to Go, Produce Pantry, the Food Connections Market, Food Distribution sites, and the Food for Independence program. There is also a Summer Lunch program, a Diaper Bank, and Senior Baskets.

    Visit Website Food Resources
  • CalFresh

    CalFresh (also known as SNAP, EBT, or Food Stamps) is a nutrition assistance program which helps individuals and families purchase healthy foods. CalFresh benefits are issued on an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card—like an ATM card. You can use your EBT card at most grocery stores, neighborhood stores and farmers’ markets.

    Call us for assistance at 707-523-7903

    Visit Website Application Assistance
  • Petaluma Bounty

    Petaluma Health Center patients are greeted with a weekly farm stand that operates June through October. Additionally, low-income patients are provided discounted prices (up to 50%) on all produce.

    Visit Website
  • 2-1-1 Sonoma County

    2-1-1 resource for food assistance–groceries & meals (provided by the United Way)

    Visit Website
  • St. Vincent de Paul Church of Petaluma

    Every Tuesday and Thursday from 12:45-2:00, they provide free food to take home: 35 Liberty St, Petaluma

    Visit Website

Academic and College & Career Resources / Recursos Académicos, Universitarios y Profesionales


  • Homework help with Tutor.com

    Sonoma County Library cardholders have free online access to Tutor.com. Tutor.com’s expert tutors offer one-on-one, real-time tutoring in over 40 subjects and test preparation areas.

    Connecting with an online tutor is easy and free. You just need a library card and a computer or mobile device with internet access.

    Live one-to-one help is available 1-10 pm (Sunday to Saturday). SkillsCenter resources are available 24/7. (available for all students)

    Visit Website
  • Free tutoring with Learn to Be

    Students get 1-on-1 tutoring for math and reading completely free. We help kids unlock their potential by connecting them with exceptional tutors online. (available for all students)

    Visit Website
  • CalKIDS

    Up to $1,500 scholarship award for eligible graduating seniors to help fund college and career training expenses.

    Visit Website
  • SchoolHouse Connection Scholarship Program

    For 12th grade students who have experienced homelessness in the last 6 years and would like to succeed in higher education and/or the workforce. $2,500 scholarship award & monthly stipends of up to $100 throughout college!

    Visit Website
  • Financial Aid Resource

    This guide can assist current and former foster youth and unaccompanied homeless youth in understanding the types of financial aid available for college, important steps to maximize the amount of aid received, and tips for maintaining aid eligibility once enrolled.

    Download PDF
  • SRJC Housing Services

    Through collaborative efforts with community partners, advocacy for policy change, and the provision of supportive services, we aim to create a nurturing and inclusive housing environment that empowers students to achieve academic success and pursue their personal and academic aspirations without the burden of housing insecurity.

    Visit Website
  • CaliforniaColleges.edu

    What kind of life do you want after high school? CaliforniaColleges.edu will help you figure it out and give you the tools to make it happen. (link to slides)

    • Discover your interests and values.
    • Find careers, colleges, or training to reach your goals.
    • Learn how to find money to pay for college.
    • Launch college and financial aid applications.
    • Monitor all your progress in one place.
    Visit Website

Financial Resources / Recursos Financieros


  • Resources for Youth Success and Employment

    The PPSC RYSE program supports youth in obtaining long term, sustainable employment. Youth work with a Career and Education Specialist through an individualized plan to gain the necessary experience and skills needed for employment in the field of their choice.  

    As the PPSC RYSE program is federally funded, youth need to meet certain eligibility requirements in order to qualify (in school youth, ages 16-21 must have an IEP or 504 plan; out of school youth, ages 16-24, with barriers including being unhoused)

    Visit Website

Additional Resources / Recursos Adicionales


  • Family Resource Center

    We provide the following services for families in the Petaluma City Schools District: Liaison between parents and school; Referrals for health, employment, food, and housing; Referrals and Workshops for Immigration and Naturalization; Crafts and Conversation; Healthy Cooking and Nutrition Classes; Financial Literacy Classes; Mental Health referrals and support programs

    Learn More
  • Petaluma People Services Counseling

    PPSC is dedicated to improving the social and economic health of our community by providing programs that strengthen the dignity and self-sufficiency of the individual.

    Visit Website
  • Petaluma Health Center

    This Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) is committed to providing high-quality healthcare with access for all, regardless of their housing situation.

    Visit Website
  • St. Vincent de Paul Church of Petaluma

    Every Tuesday and Thursday from 12:45-2:00, they provide free food to take home, free clothes and sometimes gift cards as well.

    Visit Website