Community Resources

IDVA Hero banner

Page Navigation

We’re an online school, but our community is here in Idaho! We’ve gathered a list of counseling and community resources that may be available throughout the state.1 Please note that the same programs may not exist equally throughout the state.

If you need additional referrals, please contact Idaho Virtual Academy’s (IDVA’s) counseling administrator, Jessica Lecertua, at jlecertua@idahova.org.

Counseling & Community Resources

Community Action Partnership Association of Idaho

CAPAI is a non-profit dedicated to addressing “the causes and conditions of poverty in Idaho” that oversees Community Action Partnership (CAP) agencies throughout the state. Each CAP agency offers specific resources, based on regional community needs.

Find CAP resources available near you.

2-1-1 Idaho CareLine

The 2-1-1 Idaho CareLine is a state information and referral program that offers information about low-cost, sliding-scale, or free health and human services (such as rental assistance, utility assistance, and counseling).

Phone: Dial 211 or 800.926.2588
 Text: 989211 (Standard text messaging costs may apply.)

Foster Care Rights & Resources

Students in foster care have specific rights under federal and state laws to ensure they receive a stable and supportive educational experience. These rights are designed to address the unique challenges they face and ensure equal access to educational opportunities.

Learn more about foster care rights and resources: Link to [PDF] | Link en español [PDF]

Foster Care Liaison
Jessica Lecertua
208.322.3559
jlecertua@idahova.org

Coordinator, FACE & Foster Care
ill Mathews

208.332.6855

jmathews@sde.idaho.gov

McKinney-Vento Rights & Resources

Idaho public schools provide an educational environment that treats all students with dignity and respect. Every student experiencing a transition in housing shall have access to the same free and appropriate educational opportunities as students who are not experiencing a transition in housing. This commitment to the educational rights of children, youth, and unaccompanied youth applies to all services, programs, and activities provided or made available.

Learn more about McKinney-Vento rights and resources: Link to [PDF]| Link en español [PDF]

McKinney-Vento Homeless Education College and Career Advising Policy

It is the policy of IDVA that all students, regardless of homeless status, have equal access to counseling and college and career support. All students, including those who are in a situation of homelessness, will be included in their respective grade-specific intervention(s), such as informational emails, phone calls, and live class sessions. Items of relevance for those who are homeless will be outlined in communications, where appropriate, such as unaccompanied homeless youths’ right to file as independent on the FAFSA (Idaho Virtual Academy Board Policy 901.1).

McKinney-Vento Financial Aid Information

Pell Grant

Students who are identified as Unaccompanied Youth under the McKinney-Vento Act are considered “independent” on the FAFSA.

Independent students may be eligible for a Pell Grant up to $6,195.00.

For more information, please contact our school counselor administrator, Jessica Lecertua, at jlecertua@idahova.org 

Schoolhouse Connection Youth Scholarship Program

  • Provides scholarships to youth who have experienced homelessness to help them complete a postsecondary education program.
  • Assists youth with financial aid processes, mental health advocacy and referrals, professional legal advocacy and referrals, and assistance in locating and establishing local contacts for general support and services.
  • Builds a stable peer and adult support network for recipients, before, during, and after their college careers, and into their transition into the workforce.
  • Offers young people meaningful opportunities to engage in advocacy, while providing sustained support services to help ensure graduation and success in life.

Visit the Schoolhouse Connection website to learn more.

National Center for Homeless Education

Learn more about what you need to know to help your child in school. View a guide for parents, guardians, and caregivers [PDF]

Federal Student Aid/FAFSA & Homeless Youth Q&A

Can I receive federal student aid if I am unhoused or at risk of becoming unhoused?

Yes. When you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form, you will be asked whether you are unhoused or at risk of becoming unhoused and “unaccompanied” (meaning not with your parents). Answer the question and continue with the application.

Do I need to provide my parents’ income information on the FAFSA® form?

No. If you answer “yes” to the homelessness question on the FAFSA form, you can submit it without providing information about your parents because you are stating that you are not with your parents.

Do I need to provide a home address on the FAFSA form?

No, but you must provide a mailing address where you can reliably receive mail. Your mailing address can be the address of a relative or friend who has given you permission to use it, or it can be your college’s address. If you want to use your college’s address, you must contact the school for permission and instructions to ensure that your mail reaches you. If you find more permanent housing, you should update your address on the FAFSA form.

Will I be required to submit documentation to prove that I am “unaccompanied” and unhoused or at risk of becoming unhoused?

Maybe. Once you answer “yes” to the general homelessness question on the FAFSA form, you will be asked whether you have received a homeless youth determination. If you indicate that you have, the financial aid administrator at the college you plan to attend may request the determination to prove that you are “unaccompanied” and unhoused or at risk of becoming unhoused.

You should contact one of the following individuals to ask if they can provide you with a homeless youth determination:

  • Your high school or school district homeless liaison
  • The director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
  • The director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program

In some cases, the individual listed above may only be allowed to make a homeless youth determination if you are receiving his or her program’s support or if, in the case of a school district homeless liaison, you are in his or her high school or high school district.

What happens if I can’t obtain a homeless youth determination?

If you answer “yes” to the general homelessness question on the FAFSA® form but have not received a homeless youth determination from one of the individuals above, you can still submit the FAFSA form. Once you submit the FAFSA form, you must request a homeless youth determination from the financial aid administrator at the college you plan to attend. While it is not required, to help the financial aid administrator make a homeless youth determination, you may want to submit documentation from any of the following:

  • School district personnel
  • State unhoused education coordinators
  • The National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE)
  • Third parties, such as private or publicly funded homeless shelters and service providers
  • Financial aid administrators from colleges other than the school to which you’re presenting the documentation
  • Staff from college access programs such as TRIO (e.g., Talent Search or Upward Bound) or GEAR UP
  • College or high school counselors
  • Mental health professionals, social workers, mentors, doctors, or clergy


If you don’t have any written documentation of your homelessness status, the financial aid office must still review your request for a homeless youth determination and decide whether you qualify as a homeless youth. The financial aid office’s determination may be based on other information available to them through resources like your state or local government, community organizations, or services provided by the college.

Where can I find additional resources for unhoused youth?

The U.S. Department of Education recently released a toolkit and guide for youth in the child welfare system who are transitioning to adulthood. Although this toolkit focuses on youth leaving the foster care system, it also provides useful information for youth who are unhoused and have never been in the child welfare system. The toolkit includes information on the different housing options available in your community.

You can access the toolkit here.

  • If you’re a dependent student, determine which parent will need to provide information on your FAFSA form using the Parent Wizard Tool. Typically, only one parent needs to be invited to contribute to your form.
  • We don’t offer a financial aid program specifically for unhoused students. However, unhoused students can receive money for college or career school if they meet the eligibility requirements for federal student aid and complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form.
  • If you answer “Yes” to the unaccompanied and homeless question on the FAFSA form, you can complete and submit the form without providing your parents’ information.
  • FAFSA Tips for Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
  • FAFSA dependency status information—General information about how dependency status is determined on the FAFSA form. Unhoused students may not need to report parent information on the form.

Additional Resources for Homeless Youth

Available programs supported by HUD:

  • The Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program: This program provides information about emergency shelters for unhoused individuals. To locate your local ESG, visit the HUD website.
  • The Continuum of Care (CoC) Program: The CoC program provides unhoused individuals with the services needed to move into transitional and permanent housing. To locate your local CoC and find out which housing programs you may qualify for in your community, visit the HUD website, and select your state, and search the list to find the CoC that covers your community.
  • Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Programs: These programs, also known as Section 8 housing, are for low-income individuals and families. In public housing, the participant pays a share of their income, generally 30%, as rent to their local public housing agency (PHA).
    To learn more about public housing and information on eligibility and the application process, visit HUD’s website. You can also contact your local PHA for information on public housing and HCV programs. Contact information is available here.
    Students under the age of 24 who want to qualify for project-based rental assistance and Section 8 housing choice vouchers must also have income-eligible parents, unless the student is a veteran, married, has dependent children, or is an independent student. One way to qualify as an independent student is to have been determined to be unhoused or at risk of becoming unhoused through the processes described in Questions 4 and 5 above. For more information, visit hud.gov.
  • Privately Owned Subsidized Rental Housing: HUD helps private apartment building owners offer reduced rent to low-income individuals and families through housing assistance programs. Tenants pay a share of their income as rent to the landlord (no more than 30%), and HUD pays the housing subsidy directly to the building owner. To find subsidized apartment buildings, click here or visit hud.gov.

Migrant Education Program (MEP) Rights & Resources

Students in the Migrant Education Program (MEP) have specific rights designed to ensure equitable access to education and support services, addressing their unique needs stemming from frequent moves and the challenges faced by migratory families.

Learn more about MEP rights and resources: [PDF] | [PDF] en español

Youth Empowerment Services

Does your child need mental health support? Youth Empowerment Services (YES) provides a system of care for children and youth.

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare provides various income-based services, such as food assistance (food stamps), temporary cash assistance, health insurance, and more.

Computers for Kids, Inc.

This nonprofit organization recycles, refurbishes, and distributes computers to K–12 and early college students. To apply, students complete an application, pay a small fee, and write an essay about why they need a computer.
Visit their website to learn more and fill out an application.

Your Health Idaho

Your Health Idaho is the state healthcare exchange. Individuals may qualify for a tax subsidy that can be applied to health insurance. In-person and online assistance is available to help people complete the application process. Open enrollment runs from November 1 through January 31.
To apply for a health insurance subsidy, visit their website or call 855.944.3246.

Assurance Wireless

Assurance Wireless is a federal Lifeline Assistance program brought to you by Virgin Mobile. Lifeline is a government benefit program supported by the federal Universal Service Fund. Eligible customers receive a free cell phone plus free minutes and unlimited free text messages.
To see if you qualify and to apply, visit their website or call 888.321.5880.

Different Types of Internet Connections, Speeds, and Affordability Options

Internet access is vital in many areas of life, including education, work, and entertainment. Having internet service is one of the necessary components for supporting evolving technology and for essential day-to-day activities, like remote work and online classes. But even if you have access, poor reliability or speed can create challenges.

Verizon’s article, Different types of internet connections, speeds, and affordability options covers:

  • Types of internet connectivity
  • Factors that affect internet quality
  • Free internet options
  • How to find low-cost internet connectivity
  • Assistance options for families and households, students, senior citizens, and rural communities

1The services listed above are not IDVA programs. This information is provided as a courtesy for informational purposes only, and IDVA does not guarantee its accuracy. By providing this information, IDVA is not endorsing any program listed, nor does IDVA warrant the accuracy of the information presented.
 
Any questions, concerns, grievances, appeals, etc., concerning or involving a listed program must be taken up with the program itself and not IDVA, which is not a party to any of these programs. As with many community resources, funding is often limited; therefore, a listed program may not always be current. Call or visit the resource’s website to find the most current information.