Families in Transition

In This Section

Families in Transition

750 N. Los Robles Ave.

Pasadena, CA 91104

(corner of Los Robles & Ashtabula)

Hyperlink

Operating Hours:

Monday - Friday
8:00AM - 4:00PM

(closed for lunch 12PM - 1PM or weekly staff meetings)

Main Line:

(626) 396-5782

Program Cell:

(626) 720-2476

NOTE: Please call to make an appointment with program staff

Contacts

Families in Transition (FIT) is the homeless education program of the Pasadena Unified School District.

FIT promotes school stability and academic success according to the federal mandates of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to students and families experiencing homelessness.

FIT is located within the PUSD Center for Student & Family Services on the southwest corner of the Madison Elementary School campus.

FIT is part of the PUSD Student Wellness & Support Services division.

Department Contacts

Contact	Title	Phone
Sarah Bernal	Program Coordinator II	(626) 396-3600 x40511
Socorro Naranjo Rocha	Senior Community Advocate	(626) 396-3600 x40502
Camille Pierce-Trujillo	Senior Community Advocate	(626) 396-3600 x40516
Martha Jimenez	Community Advocate	(626) 396-3600 x40501

Students experiencing homelessness have the right to participate in all federal, state or local programs and extracurricular activities for which they are eligible. Therefore, parents are responsible for:

Enrolling their child in school promptly and have them attend regularly and on time
Requesting needed transportation services
Asking for tutoring/counseling to make up for any lost school time
Meeting with their child’s teacher or counselor regularly to ensure that their child is receiving appropriate support
Being fully involved in their child’s academic experience
Notifying the school when moving
Requesting current school records, including immunizations when checking their child out
Requesting special education documents - IEP, SST, 504 plan, test results and other school related documents
Contacting PUSD Families in Transition for help with enrollment or other barriers to the child's academic success

Our Belief

Families in Transition believes that attendance equals success. A child’s education is the single most important factor influencing their future. Regular attendance at school helps students ensure their own success, build academic confidence and develop self-esteem. Parents and guardians are essential in helping students get to school so that they can learn and succeed alongside their peers. Homelessness can be mentally, emotionally and physically taxing on students and their parents. Yet, homelessness is not a reason for parents and guardians not to send their children to school. Homelessness does not excuse chronic absenteeism and truancy. It is our hope to alleviate some of the stress families are experiencing while giving them tools and skills to navigate these difficult times. Let's work together to help our students succeed.

Section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Act

Section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Act Homeless Assistance Act defines children and youth experiencing homelessness as individuals, ages 0-22* years old, who:

Lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence
Live in a hotel or motel
Live in an emergency or transitional shelter
Live in an abandoned building, parked car, or other facility not meant for human habitation
Share housing with another family due to loss of housing or economic hardship (NOTE: this includes living or renting a room in a residence in which they are not on the lease/rental agreement)
Live in a trailer park or campsite with their family
Are abandoned at a hospital
Are placed by the state in an emergency shelter
Are migratory children or unaccompanied youth who are not with their parents or legal guardians and/or are living in the above described circumstances

* Children and youth receiving special education services may continue their education until the age of 22 years.

Who Do We Assist

Families in Transition can assist McKinney-Vento eligible students and families with the following:

Facilitation of school enrollment without proof of residency
Advocacy for children and youth to stay at school of origin
Connection with transportation assistance for school attendance
Ensure students receive access to appropriate educational services
Provide backpacks and school supplies
Aid with required school clothing
Support students and families with confidential case management
Refer students and families to emergency housing/shelter, food, health services, counseling, and other appropriate services*
Parent education designed for families experiencing homelessness
Training on the educational rights of children and youth experiencing homelessness and reducing barriers to school attendance

* Families in Transition does not issue hotel vouchers nor searches for permanent housing for families