Every homeless child and youth attending the Chicago Public Schools (“CPS”), including its charter schools, shall have equal access to the same free, appropriate education and programs as is provided to other children and youth. No homeless child or youth shall be discriminated against, segregated from the mainstream school population, isolated on the basis of his/her homelessness or stigmatized.

This commitment to the educational rights of homeless children and youth applies to all services, programs and activities provided or made available by the Board of Education of the City of Chicago (“Board”), including but not limited to free and reduced lunch programs, school fee waivers, before and after school programs, pre-school programs, school supplies, including uniforms, and academic support, including tutoring beyond that offered to all students attending the school. Students experiencing homelessness can apply to charter schools, selective enrollment schools, magnet schools, and all other CPS programs in the same manner as students who are permanently housed.

All Board employees are expected to treat children, youth and their families who are experiencing homelessness with respect, compassion and sensitivity.

“Students in Temporary Living Situations (STLS)” is the name of the Board’s department that services children and youths enrolled in a CPS school and are experiencing homelessness. The Board’s STLS program offers assistance to students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade and their families. The goal of the STLS program is to protect the educational rights of students in temporary living situations and to provide services to students and their families. The staff in the Board’s STLS Department also addresses barriers to enrollment, transportation, attendance, retention and success for students in temporary living situations.

If you are in need of STLS assistance, please call (773) 553-2242, or fax at (773) 553-2182 or email at STLSInformation@cps.edu.

For More information about program benefits and additional resources please click HERE.