Children who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including:

• Living in emergency or transitional shelters
• Sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason
• Living in hotels/motels, RV parks, camping grounds due to lack of adequate alternative accommodations
• Living in transitional housing as part of a program with a time limit & continual case management while transitioning into stable housing-DOES NOT include HUD
• Living in substandard housing with no windows/doors, running water, heat, electricity or gas
• Living in a public or private place not designed for humans to live; such as tents, cars, parks, bus/train stations or abandoned buildings
• Unaccompanied minors living without a parent or legal guardian
• Undocumented children and youth who have the same right to attend a public school as U.S. citizens and are covered by the McKinney-Vento Act

Homeless students may attend one of two schools:

• School of Origin: School the child/youth attended when permanently housed or school in which the child/youth last enrolled-DOES apply to feeder patterns
• Local Attendance Area School: Any public school that non-homeless students living in the attendance area in which the child/youth is actually living are eligible to attend
• Best Interest: In determining the best interest, the local educational agency shall to the extent feasible, keep a homeless child or youth in the school of origin, except when doing so is contrary to the wishes of the child’s or youth’s parent or guardian.

Texas law allows homeless students to enroll in the DISTRICT of their choice if they meet the definition of homeless.

School Enrollment:

• Homeless children have the right to enroll immediately, even if they do not have the required documents.
• If a student does not have immunizations OR immunization/medical records, the liaison must assist with obtaining them and the student must be enrolled in the interim. They have 30 days to supply records or begin the course of immunizations.
• Enrolling schools obtain school records from the previous school.
• Children and youth who are homeless must be enrolled immediately in any school open to other children living in the same neighborhood.
• Immediate enrollment includes attending classes and participating fully in all school activities.
• Texas law agrees that enrollment of homeless students is not dependent on the residency of the parent or guardian. Tx Ed Code 25.001 (b)(5)
• Immediate enrollment in school applies even if no parent or guardian is present.
  • Texas law allows youth to enroll in school on their own, as long as they are not in the district primarily to participate in extracurricular activities and not expelled/no current delinquent/criminal conduct. Tx Ed Code 25.001 (b)(4), (d)
• Students in homeless situations should NOT be required to fill out “dual residency” forms, have any time of residency documents notarized (i.e., letters from the host family they are staying with), or provide any proof of residency.

Unaccompanied youth must be allowed to enroll in their School of Origin or their attendance zone school even if they do not have a parent or guardian present and do not have the required documentation. They must be allowed to enroll if they report they are “couch surfing” or living with a friend or family member. The adult they are living with DOES NOT have to be present in order to enroll the child.

Kyle Tinsley  |  McKinney-Vento Liaison
806-326-1745
 

Ashley Zellers  |  McKinney-Vento Social Worker
806-326-1746
 

Tessa Aragon   |  McKinney-Vento Social Worker
806-326-1744
 

Paula Abbott  |  Counselor
806-326-1743
 

Allison Longenecker  |  Secretary
806-326-1742

Emergency and Referral Numbers

• Adult Protective Services: 800-252-5400
• Alcohol & Drug Help Line: 800-821-4357
• Amarillo Police Department Emergency Line: 911
• Amarillo Police Department Non-Emergency Line: 806-378-3038
• Care Net Crisis Pregnancy Center at 1501 S Taylor: 806-350-7584
• Care Net Crisis Pregnancy Center at 6709 Woodward: 806-354-2244
• Child Find of America: 806-426-5678 (To locate runaways and child abduction victims)
• Child Protective Services: 800-252-5400
• National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: 800-843-5678
• National Parent Help Line: 855-427-2736
• National Runaway Switchboard: 800-786-2929
• Rape Crisis & Domestic Violence: 806-374-5433 (24-hour Crisis Hotline)
• Texas Missing Person Clearinghouse Helpline: 800-346-3243
• Texas Panhandle Centers: 806-359-6699 (Behavioral and Development Health)
• Texas Runaway Hotline: 888-580-4357
• Texas Youth Hotline: 800-210-2278
• Texas Youth Hotline 24-hour help: 800-989-6884
• Texas Youth Hotline Text for help: 512-572-5777
• United Way Help Line: 211

Shelter

Shelter For Women

• Domestic Violence Crisis Line: 806-374-5433
• Martha’s Home: 806-372-4035

Shelter for Women & Men:

• Faith City Mission at 600 N Tyler: 806-373-6402 (Temporary Shelter for Families)
• Salvation Army at 400 S Harrison St.: 806-373-6631 (Temporary Shelter &/or transitional housing for women and men)
• Salvation Army help for Women: 806-373-0910
• Salvation Army help for Men: 806-373-1321

Shelter – Rehab

Women:

• Downtown Women’s Shelter at 409 S Monroe St. : 806-372-3625
• Faith City Mission: Esther’s House at 600 N Tyler: 806-373-6402

Men:

• Alcoholic Recovery Center at 1600 S Buchanan St. : 806-374-2329
• Another Chance House at 209 S Jackson: 806-372-3344
• Faith City Mission Hope for Men at 600 N Tyler: 806-373-6402
   

Women & Men:

• Amarillo Recovery from Alcohol & Drugs at 1001 Wallace Blvd. : 806-350-2723
   

Housing Needs

• Amarillo Housing First at 207 N Tyler: 806-414-2243
• Buckner Family Place Single Parent Housing at 1615 S Tyler St #19: 806-373-3422
• Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle at 1900 N Spring St: 806-376-4571  (Catholic Family Services) -- rent based on income
• City of Amarillo Community Development at 808 S Buchanan: 806-378-3098 (HUD Housing)
• Eveline’s Sunshine Cottage: 806-803-9357 (Single mother’s attending college & working toward degree goals)
• Habitat for Humanity at 2700 S Wilson: 806-383-3456
• Panhandle Community Services 1309 SW 8th Ave: 806-372-2531
• Salvation Army at 400 S Harrison: 806-373-6631 (Ask for an appointment with Debbie)

Low Income Apartments:

• Amarillo Garden Apartments at 1223 S Roberts: 806.373.1074
• Palo Duro Place Apartments at 1025 S Virginia: 806.576.3676
• Spring Terrace Apartments at 2600 Spring: 806.374.7522
• Win Lin Village at 5700 Wabash St. : 806.353.0354 (One Person office staff—leave a voicemail for call back)
   

Utility Assistance

Central Church of Christ at 1401 S Monroe: 806-373-4389

• Sundays, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
• Must provide a Picture ID & current bill or disconnect notice
   

Panhandle Community Services at 1309 SW 8th Ave: 806-372-2531

• Call for appointment OR schedule appointment online
   

Salvation Army at 400 S Harrison: 806-373-6631

• 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.  and  1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
   

Child Care

Buckner Children & Family: 806-383-5488

Childcare Management Services at 1206 SW 7th Ave: 806-372-2836 or 806.345.1348(*Call for an Appointment)

Children’s Learning Centers at 2300 Tee Anchor Blvd: 806-374-5223 (9 locations; Children 6 weeks to 11-years-old—accepts CCMS)

Night & Day Care & Play at 2831 Mays Ave: 806-352-2186

• Children 4 weeks – 12-years-old
• Open: 6 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• Open Saturdays — Accepts CCMS

Opportunity School at 1100 S Harrison: 806-373-4245

Opportunity School at 1525 S Grand: 806-381-0551

Wesley Community Center at 1615 S Roberts: 806-372-7960

Workforce Solutions at 3120 Eddy St. : 806-372-5521 (Apply online)

Food

Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church at 3500 S Bowie: 806-359-9483

• Wednesdays, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Will need to fill out a form
   

Bethesda at 1101 Fritch Hwy: 806-381-0361

• Wednesdays, 9 – 9:45 a.m.
• Must provide a picture ID & registration for all family members
   

Central Church of Christ “Loaves & Fishes” at 1401 S Monroe: 806-379-6624

• 1st three Thursdays, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
• Must provide a picture ID
• Will receive 8 items only
   

Cornerstone Outreach at 1111 N Buchanan: 806-381-2131

• Fridays, 9 a.m – 12 p.m.
• Emergency Lunch noon – 1 p.m. if you have never been before
• Must provide a picture ID before 11 a.m.
   

Faith City Mission at 600 N Tyler: 806-373-6402

• Serving meals Monday – Saturday
• Meals are at 5:45 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 5 p.m.
   

Freedom Baptist Church 900 Alta Vista: 806-354-8499

• Every 4th Thursday at 5 p.m.
• Clothing and Food
• Must provide a picture ID, Driver’s License, or Government issued ID
   

Southwest Church of Christ 4515 Cornell: 806-352-5647

• Tuesday & Thursday, 1 – 3 p.m.
• Must provide a picture ID
• Must make an appointment
   

Washington Avenue Family Services at 4002 S Washington St #A: 806-352-1307

• Must Provide a valid picture ID for adults & social security cards for all children, proof of residency (lease agreement or utility bills)
• Monday: 6 – 7 p.m.
• Tuesday & Thursday: 5 – 6:30 p.m.
• Saturday: 9 – 10:30 a.m.
   

Amarillo College Food Bank: 806-371-5446 (For AC students only)

Perkins Center at 1515 S Buchanan St. : 806-372-3954

• Tuesday & Thursday 9 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
   

Kids Café (High Plains Food Bank): 806.350.1436

• Call to find out site locations and times
• Locations and times change during the summer

Clothing

Amarillo Agency for Women at 2415 SW 45th Ave: 806-353-0900

• Appointment by phone or Facebook messenger (Look for Amarillo Agency for Women when using Facebook)
• Free Pregnancy tests, diapers, formula, baby & maternity clothing, and various baby items (Infants to age 8)
   

Bethesda at 1101 Fritch Hwy: 806-381-0361

• By referral ONLY
• Contact a case worker or pastor for a referral
   

Hope Choice Pregnancy Center at  6709 Woodward St. : 806-354-2288

• Call for Appointment or Walk-in
• Baby items, diapers, maternity clothing
   

Cornerstone Outreach at 1111 Buchanan: 806-381-2131

• Tuesday – Thursday: 9am-12pm (every 6 months w/ID card)
• Must provide a picture ID and social security cards
   

Faith City Mission at 600 N Tyler: 806-373-6402

• Emergency clothing for needs that are immediate, Daily
• Women’s shopping: Tuesdays
• Men’s Shopping: Thursdays
   

Freedom Baptist Church at 900 Alta Vista: 806-354-8499

• 3rd Thursdays at 5 p.m. January – October
• 4th Thursdays at 5 p.m. November – December
• Must provide a picture ID
   

Southwest Church of Christ at 4515 Cornell: 806-352-5647

• Make an appointment on Monday
• 1 – 4 p.m. for assistance on Wednesday
   

Washington Avenue Family Services at 4002 S Washington St #A: 806-352-1307

• Monday: 6 – 7:30 p.m.
• Tuesday & Thursday : 5 – 6 p.m.
• Saturday: 9 – 10:30 a.m.
• Must provide a valid picture ID for adults, social security cards for all children, proof of residency: lease agreement or utility bills (1st time)
   

Colorful Closets: This is for students enrolled at an AISD school. Contact your child’s school counselor to assist.

Thrift Stores

• Amarillo Council of the Blind at 403 S Western: 806-371-7707
• America’s Best Thrift & Discount at 3015 Plains Blvd: 806-376-1300
• Bargain Warehouse at 816 S Grant: 806-374-0052
• Clothez Exchange at 4515 Georgia St #112: 806-356-6244
• Downtown Women’s Center Thrift City at 814 SW 10th (Clothing) : 806-372-8564
• Downtown Women’s Center Thrift City at 600 SW 10th (Furniture) : 806-331-4972
• Goodwill at 1904 Bell: 806-331-6890
• Got Junk at 1600 S Washington St. : 806-331-6626
• Habitat for Humanity at 2626 Paramount Blvd: 806-373-1185
• Salvation Army Family Store at 1211 SE 27th Ave: 806-373-5544
• Back and Forth at 1765 S Avondale St. : 806-803-9624
• Thrift City Too at 525 SW 10th: 806-331-6879
• The Giving Heart at 307 E Hastings: 806-683-9511