Editor’s Note: The video above is from KXAN’s newscast on Aug. 15, 2025.
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Students experiencing homelessness in Texas will now have access to resources, support and more after the Texas Education Agency (TEA) announced Wednesday it launched a new hotline.
In a news release, TEA said it named the hotline the Texas Education for Homeless Children and Youth (TEHCY) Support. The agency described the hotline as “a comprehensive statewide initiative designed to provide direct assistance to families and educators supporting students experiencing homelessness under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.”
In August, the Austin Independent School District reported that around 1,000 students were experiencing homelessness. Furthermore, the number of students experiencing homelessness increased and decreased from year to year. However, the overall numbers remained above 1,200 students.
“Families should never have to navigate the challenges of homelessness alone,” said TEA Commissioner Mike Morath in the release. “Now, educators, parents and caregivers can pick up the phone and immediately connect with someone who understands their situation and can guide them to the right resources.”
The TEHCY Support Hotline offers “real-time access to trained experts” and can also help parents enroll their child in school. The hotline is also available to educators to seek guidance on how to help a student who is experiencing homelessness, according to the TEA.
Here is a list of the following resources for the TEHCY Support Hotline, as provided by the TEA:
- TEHCY Support Hotline phone number: 1-855-85TEHCY (1-855-858-3429); Families and educators can call this toll-free number.
- TEHCY web portal: This offers training, offers guidance and more on how to identify and serve students who may be experiencing homelessness.
- Web-based intake form where technical assistance requests and more can be submitted via the intake button on the TEHCY web portal.
- TEHCY Regional Network: “Regional ESC McKinney-Vento Liaisons provide direct support to students, families and school staff, including professional development and outreach for students experiencing homelessness.”
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