For most young people, getting a state ID card is a simple rite of passage. But for students experiencing homelessness, it can feel like an impossible hurdle. Without identification, doors to jobs, housing, education, and even basic services remain locked. A task as ordinary as opening a bank account becomes out of reach.
The barriers are many: lost or missing documents, fees they cannot afford, confusing requirements that vary state by state, and no parent or guardian to help navigate the process. For youth already carrying the weight of housing instability, these obstacles can stall their progress toward independence and stability.
That is why the work of McKinney-Vento liaisons in schools is so powerful. Beyond making sure students can get to class, these dedicated advocates take on challenges that threaten to derail a young person’s future. When a law passed during COVID-19 allowing unaccompanied youth to obtain state IDs without the usual identifying documents, many community members and even licensing staff were unaware of the change. During a Building Changes School/Housing Network meeting, advocates heard directly from the Department of Licensing about how students could work with their McKinney-Vento liaisons to verify identity and access IDs. This shared learning spread quickly, equipping liaisons and school staff with new tools to help young people overcome a barrier that had long stood in their way.
This knowledge had a ripple effect. Recently, liaisons and school district social workers from the Bellevue School District partnered with the Department of Licensing’s DOL2Go mobile program to bring ID services directly to schools. In one day, they helped more than 100 students secure their first state ID, a small card that carries enormous significance.
“Identification is vital for accessing housing, employment, education, and other key services,” said Ligia Calvo, McKinney-Vento & Foster Care Coordinator. “By coordinating with the Department of Licensing, we were able to bring mobile units directly to schools, removing barriers and ensuring each student felt supported and empowered throughout the process.”
Ramone’s Story
Ramone knows firsthand how life-changing that support can be. As he approached adulthood, he tried for over a year to get his ID. “I thought I had the documents I needed, but I was missing a lot. It was extremely stressful,” he said. Without the right paperwork, he could not get a job or open a bank account, both critical steps for moving forward with his life.
When he reached out to his school’s McKinney-Vento liaison, everything shifted. She walked him through the complicated process, helped him file for exemptions, and connected him with the resources he needed.
“When I finally got my ID, it was like a weight off my shoulders,” Ramone shared. “I got a job. I opened my bank account. I got my own apartment. I feel like without that help, even to this day, I would not have my ID now. I would not be where I am in my life without that.”
For Ramone, having a trusted adult in his corner made all the difference. “Every time I needed help with something, I asked her. Having a supportive figure in your life, it brightens your horizons.”
More Than Paperwork
The McKinney-Vento program exists to remove barriers like these. It ensures that students experiencing homelessness, whether they are staying in shelters, motels, or with friends, do not lose access to school and the support that comes with it. But what makes the program truly impactful are the people behind it, the liaisons who show up with creativity, compassion, and determination.
Events like the DOL2Go partnership illustrate what happens when schools and communities work together: barriers crumble, students gain confidence, and options become available. For the youth who walked away from that event with their first ID in hand, it was not just a piece of plastic. It was a key to opportunity.
Brightening Horizons
The work of McKinney-Vento liaisons is often quiet and behind the scenes, but its impact is profound. For the students they serve, these liaisons are not just advocates, they are lifelines. By helping students navigate overwhelming challenges, they open doors to opportunity, stability, and independence.
At the same time, the program that makes this possible is under threat. The Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) program is the only federal initiative dedicated to ensuring students experiencing homelessness can succeed in school. Research has shown it leads to better attendance and improved academic outcomes, but today, its funding is at risk under the current administration.
Stories like Ramone’s show what is at stake. What may seem like small victories, an ID card, a bus pass, a stable school connection, can completely change a young person’s trajectory. Behind every success is a student with determination, and a supportive adult who believed in them. Together, they prove that when barriers are removed, young people experiencing homelessness do not just survive, they thrive.
If you need support securing identification, contact the I Am Here: Vital Document Legal Hotline for Youth. A joint project of the National Network for Youth and Baker McKenzie this is a free, dedicated legal assistance hotline to help youth experiencing homelessness obtain essential identification and vital documents.
