Transportation Services for Youth in Foster Care or Youth Experiencing Homelessness

If you are a youth in foster care or a youth experiencing homelessness, you have many educational rights, including access to transportation services.  

1. You have a right to attend your school of best interest, which could be the school you attended before moving placement, entering the foster care system, or becoming homeless, also known as your school of origin.
2. You have the right to attend the school nearest to where you are living, also known as your local school or school of residence.
3. You have a right to receive free transportation for any school-related activities. 

Every youth’s request is unique and needs an evaluation to determine what is the best option for you. Please request transportation at your site or complete the following form.

• Link: Transportation Request for Foster Youth & McKinney-Vento Homeless Program 

Youth Free Public Bus Passes

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA)

The OCTA provides free bus passes for all youth aged 6 to 18 to travel on public buses.

• Free passes are available at your child's school. Go to the main office and request one.
• Student and legal guardian signature is required.
• If you need assistance, email: lorz_e@auhsd.us  or saldana_a@auhsd.us

You may also go directly to the OCTA website to request a pass.

• OCTA link to request a free youth bus pass: Youth Ride Free Online Parental Request Form

AUHSD Transportation Department

For transportation services not related to youth in foster care or youth experiencing homelessness, please visit the AUHSD website for information related to the district's transportation services: 

Link: AUHSD Transportation Department

McKinney-Vento (Homeless) and Foster Youth Programs

Have questions or need further assistance?

• Elizabeth Lorz, Family and Community Engagement Specialist
• McKinney-Vento Support
• Email: lorz_e@auhsd.us
• Office: 714-999-4434

Senior Administrative Assistant

• Amy Saldana
• Email: saldana_a@auhsd.us
• Office: 714-999-4434

Need help from the district educational liaison? 

McKinney-Vento Homeless & Foster Youth Educational Liaison

• Dr. Adela Cruz, LCSW
• Director of School Mental Health & Wellness
• Email: cruz_ad@auhsd.us
• Office: 714-999-7734

DISCLAIMER REGARDING THE MENTAL HEALTH INFORMATION ON THESE PAGES

The contents of the AUHSD website, such as text, graphics, images, and other material ("content"), are for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. AUHSD does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, efficacy, or timeliness of information posted on its site, whether by AUHSD, our employees, users of our site, or third parties. Always seek the advice of a mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your child’s needs or condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the AUHSD website!

Please note that AUHSD and staff are not available 24/7, and our schools are not emergency response centers. If you are in crisis or you think you may have an emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. If you, your child, or a loved one is having suicidal thoughts, call 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to talk to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area at any time (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline). If you are located outside the United States, call your local emergency line immediately.

AUHSD does not recommend or endorse any clinicians, counselors, psychiatrists, social workers, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the website or linked through an outside agency or provider. AUHSD has developed partnerships with community-based mental health care providers. However, it is up to the consumer (parent/legal guardian) of the child to accept or decline services and to ask questions about eligibility, costs, and insurance coverage.  Any links to other websites are provided only for the purpose of convenience or information and do not constitute a referral or endorsement of any of these sites or the owners, services, products, or content on those sites.

AUHSD is not responsible for any aspect of any third-party service providers or websites that may be linked from the AUHSD site, including without limitation the accuracy of the content on those services or use of information you may provide to those services. Your use of third-party websites is at your own risk and subject to the terms and conditions of use for such websites.

With input from a multidisciplinary team of administrators,  social workers, school counselors, and school psychologist, the  contents of this webpage are managed by:

Dr. Adela Cruz, LCSW

• Director of School Mental Health & Wellness
• McKinney-Vento Homeless & Foster Youth Educational Liaison
• Section 504 District Coordinator (504Coordinator@auhsd.us)

If you have any questions or comments regarding its contents, please send an email to cruz_ad@auhsd.us.