Student and Family Empowerment Centers

The SAFE Office provides case management for students and families that are facing challenges such as economic hardships, homelessness, food insecurity, health, dental, vision, mental health concerns, and lack of resources.

Mission and Goal

The mission of the Office of Student and Family Empowerment is to remove barriers that impede access to education by collaborating with students, their families, and community partners in order to meet student’s basic needs.

Our goal is to improve the educational, health, and social emotional outcomes for EGUSD students and their families. We do this by providing case management for students and families that are facing challenges such as economic hardships, homelessness, food insecurity, health, dental, vision, mental health concerns, and lack of resources.

What SAFE Centers do:

The SAFE Office team can provide the following resources and supports:

Assistance enrolling qualified students in school
Backpacks, school supplies, hygiene items
Bus passes and transportation support to and from school
Referral for medical, dental, mental health, or vision care
Referral for housing and shelter services
Referral to local food and clothing closets
Linkage to insurance enrollment
Support services for families on public assistance
Connections and referrals to many other community services and resources

Any district employee, student or family member can make a referral to the SAFE Office. You may complete our online referral form or simply contact one of our offices directly to speak with our staff.

SAFE Referral Google Form

Our Team

Meet the SAFE Office Team

Homeless Education Program

You Can Enroll in School (poster)

The McKinney-Vento Act defines homelessness as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence often caused by economic hardships or other difficult life circumstances. The definition includes school-age children who have a nighttime residence that is:

Shared with another family or friend (doubled up)
Staying in a shelter or transitional housing
Temporarily living in a motel or hotel
Living in a car, park, campground, abandoned building, or other inadequate accommodations
Children that are unaccompanied

Students who qualify under the Homeless Education Program have the following rights:

Immediate Enrollment
Rights to remain in school of origin/feeder school
Transportation Support
Free and Reduced Lunch
Homeless Liaison Support
Removal of Barriers to FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education)
Enrollment and Extra Curricular Activities

Teen Parent Program (TPP)

EGUSD’s Teen Parent Program (TPP) provides resources,
education and case management support to pregnant and parenting students within the district. The Teen Parent Program operates out of the Student and Family Empowerment Office. Support is provided to teen Moms and Dads. TPP staff will meet with students to assess their individual needs and develop a plan for ongoing support. This includes linking students to health care services, mental health supports, baby/childcare classes, and other local resources. TPP staff also work to ensure that all teen parents have an educational plan during and post-pregnancy.

EGUSD Pregnant and Parenting Student Welcome Packet

To make a referral or contact the Teen Parent Program.

TPP Referral Form

Tami Silvera, Program Specialist

Tsilvera@egusd.net

(916) 686-7568

Ophelia Mosqueda, TPP Case Manager

omosqued@egusd.net

(916) 681-7577

Venita Jelks, Family Advocate

Vjelks@egusd.net

(916) 681-7577

Lennie Holmes, Family Advocate

lholmes@egusd.net

(916) 392-9081

Helpful Resource Links:

Teen Parent Program (TPP) – EGUSD Pregnant Parenting Student Rights
National Center for Youth Law – Information on California Minor Consent and Confidentiality Laws including the rights of minors and third parties to consent to a minor’s health care in California.
U.S. Department of Education – Office of Civil Rights – Pregnant or Parenting? Title IX Protects You From Discrimination At School - Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”), 20 U.S.C. §1681 et seq., is a Federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex—including pregnancy and parental status—in educational programs and activities.
Sacramento County – Department of Health Services – Women, Infants & Children (WIC) - The Sacramento County WIC program helps pregnant women, new moms, and young children eat well, stay healthy, and be active.
Sutter Health – Sutter Teens Program - Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento’s Sutter Teen Programs reach out to Sacramento County teens who are pregnant or parenting. Teens work with a case manager who provides guidance and resources when they are pregnant or parenting.
Sacramento Covered – Medical Insurance - Sacramento Covered is dedicated to achieving health care access and care coordination for all who live in the Sacramento region.
Nurse Family Partnership – The Nurse-Family Partnership is a free program that connects nurses with moms expecting their first baby.
Planned Parenthood – Pregnancy Testing and Prenatal Services
WellSpace Health – WellSpace Health’s Women’s Health Department provides obstetric and gynecological healthcare in a caring and competent way for women of all ages in our community.

Video Links:

Safe Sleep

SAFE Call Center (916) 681-7577
Serving all school sites in the Elk Grove Unified School District

SAFE Center Locations

David Reese SAFE Center
Serves all Secondary and Elementary Schools East of Highway 99.
7600 Lindale Drive Sacramento, CA 95828
Phone: (916) 392-9081 | Fax: (916) 394-1634

Valley SAFE Center
Serves all Elementary and Secondary Schools West of Highway 99.
6300 Ehrhardt Avenue Sacramento, CA 95823
Phone: (916) 681-7577 | Fax: (916) 681-7578

EGUSD Homeless Liaison
Tami Silvera, Program Specialist
(916) 686-7568
Tsilvera@egusd.net

You CAN Enroll in School

To access the Homeless Education Program services please complete our online referral form or contact one of our offices directly to speak with our staff.

SAFE Referral Google Form

Resources

Project TEACH – Project TEACH, a program of the Sacramento County Office of Education, coordinates services with school districts, charter schools, and other agencies.

CA Coalition for Youth and the CA Youth Crisis Line – The California Youth Crisis Line (CYCL) operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week as the statewide emergency response system for youth (ages 12-24) and families in crisis (800) 843-5200.

Wind Youth Services – We provide a safe, non-judgmental space for homeless and runaway youth away from the dangers of the street. Wind 24-Hour Shelter Line: (916) 628-1492

Elk Grove HART – Elk Grove HART was formed in 2010 to provide local services to the growing number of homeless in Elk Grove. Our goal is to assist those experiencing homelessness in Elk Grove toward self-sufficiency and greater independence. (916) 623-5858

Elk Grove Food Bank Services – The Elk Grove Food Bank provides essential resources to overcome the many faces of hunger and human need. (916) 685-8453

SchoolHouse Connection – SchoolHouse Connection is a national non-profit organization working to overcome homelessness through education.

NAEHCY – The National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY) is a national membership association dedicated to educational equity and excellence for children and youth experiencing homelessness. NAEHCY’s vision is that every child and youth experiencing homelessness is successful in school, from early childhood through higher education.

EGUSD Family Resources – This family resources website was created by EGUSD’s Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Office and is updated regularly and includes ideas for various at-home activities, community resources, social and emotional learning supports, family workshops, and more.