School enrollment

[Unregistered]

Hi, I'm 14 years old and I've already run away. I used to live in Nevada, but I'm now in California. I've been gone for the entire summer, and I'm already good on food, shelter, and so forth. I can make at least $15 an hour with my street performance act, and I haven't done anything that could be against the law, other than running away. I still have one problem, though. I'm trying to figure out a way to enroll in a high school. I've been trying to come up with a way for a while, and I'm running out of time before this year's semester starts. Is there a legal way for a runaway to enroll in school? If I were to put fake information on my enrollment form and got caught, what would happen? Would I get questioned if I simply walked into school without having enrolled? I don't have my birth record, social security number, medical records, nor records from a previous school. I'm currently in Orange county, California, but if needed, I could easily save up for a bus ticket. I really want to attend high school, but I don't know how; I'm stuck. I'm willing to take drastic measures regardless of how legal it is so that I can get an education. Please tell me if there's any way for me to attend school.

[ccsmod3]

Re: School enrollment

Hi and Thank You for contacting the National Runaway Switchboard.

It sounds as though you have been managing and surviving quite well since you left home. We hope you are remaining safe and aware of your surroundings. We can see how important school and staying on track with your education is to you. To help you along your journey, there is a resource known McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, under the No Child Left Behind Act, which aids homeless youth with educational resources and assistance. You can find out more information and who to contact in your state, on their website, center.serve.org/nche/m-v.php . We are glad you contacted us, and we are also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through our switchboard 1-800-786-2929.

-NRS

[Unregistered]

I have a question

How did you get to California? I need to get away. What's the fastest transportation

[ccsmod2]

Thank you for reaching out and contacting the National Runaway Switchboard. It sounds like you are thinking of running away. If you would like to talk about that and see what options may be available to you, please give us a call at anytime. We are available 24 hours a day at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). We also have online chat services available from 4:30 PM-11:30 PM (CST) on our website (www.1800runaway.org).

We look forward to hearing from you and wish you the best of luck.

~NRS

[Unregistered]

Just wondering.

I'm just wondering, if I ran away from the state of Florida. & managed to get a plane ticket to California to live with my boyfriend (who is financially stable & is legally an adult.) if I would be able to enroll into highschool there, without parents & my parents not finding out?

[ccsmod10]

Re: Just Wondering

Hello,

Thank you for contacting the National Runaway Safeline. While we are not legal experts we can tell you a little bit about the McKinney-Vento Homelessness Assistance Act. According to this act all youth are legally allowed to enroll in school. “Enroll now, ask questions later.”

There is a stipulation under this act that applies to unaccompanied minors including runaways. For more information about how this law applies to runaways go to: http://www.serve.org/nche/downloads/briefs/youth.pdf

Youth need to get in touch with the Homeless Youth Liaison in order to enroll into school under this act. Each school district is required to have a liaison. For information about state coordinators go to: http://www.serve.org/nche/states/state_resources.php

It is important to mention that schools may still have runaway notification polices, that require the legal guardian to be notified at some point if the youth enrolls. For more information specific to your situation you may wish to contact the liaison for the school district you wish to go to.

Also, The National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY) operates a higher education helpline to provide assistance with issues related to students experiencing homelessness accessing higher education. For more information, visit http://www.naehcy.org/educational-resources/helpline, or contact the helpline at (855) 446-2673 (toll-free)or [email protected].

Feel free to contact our 24/7 crisis line 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) if you would like to discuss your options further, or for additional resources.

Take care,
NRS

[Unregistered]

Almost 18

I've been thinking about leaving home for awhile and I recently decided to start saving up enough to really do it. But I know in this kind of world it is important to be educated. I want to leave in December. I will be turning 18 during that month however so I will no longer be a minor. I still want to go to college the next fall or at least finish my highschool education considering how close I am to finishing, but I can't stay here. How would I do that on my own? I know I can make enough to sustain myself but I won't be able to make enough to pay for schooling by myself especially if I leave the state and have to find a home for myself. I don't know what to do.

[ccsmod5]

RE: Almost 18

Hello there,

Thank you for being able to reach out to us here at the National Runaway Safeline (NRS), we are glad that you were able to share your story with us. It sounds like you have a lot to think about and this can all be very overwhelming for you. Just know that you are not alone and we are here to help you in the best way we can.

It seems like you have a pretty set plan as to wanting to leave. You have great goals set for yourself and it’s very mature of you to think about the future when you have a lot going on at home. Have you considered talking to anyone about this situation? Maybe there’s a friend, peer mentor or even a family member that can you can talk to about your situation. Also, by talking to them, you will be able to see if there are other options as to where to live or where to go.

Here at NRS, we will be able to help you through these issues as well. We may be able to help you find a transitional living program in your area and they will be able to help you get on your feet as well as provide shelter for you. Perhaps this is something you have considered, but if you need further information, feel free to call us.

We are open 24/7 and are a toll free hotline, you can reach us at 1-800-RUNAWAY. We also have live chat sessions every day from 4:30 PM to 11:30 PM CST. As I mentioned earlier, we are here to help you in the best way we can and you can count us as a new support system. Your safety and wellbeing is our main concern.

Stay strong,

NRS

[Unregistered]

I'm 14

I'm 14 and thinking about running away to California. Don't worry, I have street smarts and I'm not planning on doing anything bad like stealing. I'm going to stay during the summer, but I want to go to school there without my parents knowing. School is my first priority and I'll do anything for it, what should I do?

[ccsmod11]

I'm 14

Hello.

Thanks for reaching out to us. We’re sorry to hear that your living situation has made you want to leave. It sounds like you've given your situation and how you might survive a lot of thought. To help you learn more about staying in school if you decide to leave home, you can look into a resource called the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, under the No Child Left Behind Act. You can find out more information at http://center.serve.org/nche/legis/mv.php. If you feel like you need additional support, we are available 24/7 and completely free and confidential at 1-800-RUNAWAY. You can also reach out to us by chat from 4:30-11:30pm CST through our live chat at 1800runaway.org. Feel free to reach out to us.

[Unregistered]

Looking to leave at 18

I wanna leave when I'm 18 (I'm 17 now, I'll turn 18 next May) and go to leave with my boyfriend who lives in another state he will be 19 in Dec. but I need to sign myself out to go. I don't really like being here because of my father with yells almost all the time then there is my family is like the black sheep of the family. My boyfriend's mom is going to give me somewhere to live. Please help me.

[ccsmod1]

RE: Looking to leave at 18

Hello,

Thanks for reaching out to us for help. It sounds like you are in a tough situation and you are hoping to move out when you turn 18. 18 is the age of majority, which means it is the legal age to move out. In most circumstances, once you turn 18 you have a right to move wherever you want. You said you need to sign yourself out, and we are not sure what you mean by that. It sounds like you are feeling really unhappy at home and you feel supported by your boyfriend and his mom. We are glad that you have support and somewhere safe to go. If you would like to talk about your situation and make a plan, you can always call us directly at 1-800-RUNAWAY. We are here to listen and support you in any way that we can. We are looking forward to hearing from you, and wish you the best of luck.

[Unregistered]

School Enrollment

Can u be a runaway and sign your self in school in the city of Missouri

[ccsmod13]

RE: School enrollment

Hello,

Thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. It sounds like you are interested in what could happen, in terms of school, if you or someone you know is labeled as a runaway. Generally, the age of an adult is 18. If you were to leave before then, then your parents would have the option of filing a runaway report with the police. Running away is not a criminal offense, it is a status offense. This means that you cannot leave because of your age, not because it is against the law. However, anyone that you are caught staying with could be charged with harboring a runaway, and that can be a family member or a friend. Harboring a runaway is a misdemeanor offense.

In terms of school, generally you need parental permission in order to enroll in school. However there is something called McKinney Cento act which essentially allows youth to enroll without parental consent. However, at some point they are going to want to know what is going on at home where you are needing there services. You can go to http://www.serve.org/nche/downloads/briefs/youth.pdf and get some more information about how this relates to runaways. Also you will need to contact your state liaison about enrolling under this act. For this you would go to http://www.serve.org/nche/states/state_resources.php .

We hoped this helped and if you would like to discuss your situation in greater detail then you can always give us a call or chat with us on our website. We look forward to hearing from you and we wish you the best of luck.

NRS

[Unregistered]

im 17

im 17 and I'm leaving home, if my parents know where I am can they call the cops? I'll be in a whole other state. I'll have money and house, how will I enroll in school?