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Families & Kids

If your family is experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing your home — these resources are specifically designed to keep children safe and help you get stable.

📌 Quick Navigation — Who Do You Call?

Resource	Best For	Contact
Housing Helpline	Referrals to all Boulder County family services	303-441-1206
EPRAIS	Preventing an active eviction in Boulder	303-441-3414
2-1-1 Colorado	Finding local food, health, or bill help	Dial 2-1-1
CO PEAK	Applying for SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid	coloradopeak.com ↗
SPAN (DV Crisis)	Domestic violence — 24/7 crisis & shelter	303-444-2424
TGTHR (Youth)	Unaccompanied youth ages 12–24	303-447-1207

💡 "Doubled up" or in a motel? If you're staying with friends/family or in a motel, your children still qualify for McKinney-Vento school services and most family housing programs. You don't have to be on the street to get help.

🏠 Local — Immediate Help for Families

EMERGENCY + TRANSITIONAL HOUSING

FOOD BANK ON-SITE

Emergency Family Assistance Association (EFAA)

1575 Yarmouth Ave, Boulder — Map ↗

📞 Phone:303-442-3042

EFAA is Boulder County's primary family resource. Family services are kept separate from single-adult services to ensure a safer environment for children.

Emergency HousingShort-term emergency housing — up to 8 weeks
Transitional HousingLonger-term support to bridge toward permanent housing
Food BankOn-site food pantry — no kitchen required options available
Rent AssistanceHelp with rent, deposits, and moving costs (City of Boulder residents)
Medical CostsMinor medical cost assistance for qualifying families

🗺️ Regional Family Resource Centers

IF YOU'RE OUTSIDE BOULDER CITY LIMITS

County-Wide Family Partners

If you live outside the City of Boulder, contact the partner center for your area — they handle rent assistance and basic needs for families in their region.

Area	Organization	Phone
Longmont / Lyons	OUR Center	303-772-5529
Lafayette / Louisville / Superior	Sister Carmen Community Center	303-665-4342
Mountain Communities	EFAA Mountain Outreach	720-422-7813

🛡️ Safe Shelter for Specific Situations

24/7 CRISIS LINE

SPAN — Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence

📞 Crisis Line:303-444-2424 — 24 hours, 7 days

Provides 24/7 crisis intervention, emergency shelter, and advocacy for families experiencing domestic violence. Safe, confidential — the shelter address is not published for safety reasons. Call the crisis line first.

PREGNANT PEOPLE & YOUNG PARENTS

Mother House

Shelter and wraparound support for pregnant people and parents with young children. Reach out through Boulder County's Housing Helpline (303-441-1206) or 2-1-1 for current intake details.

YOUTH AGES 12–24

TGTHR (formerly Attention Homes)

📞 Phone:303-447-1207

Emergency shelter and a drop-in center for unaccompanied youth ages 12–24. If a young person in your family is staying elsewhere or on their own, this is the resource for them specifically.

Unaccompanied youth — meaning minors or young adults not with a parent or guardian — qualify for TGTHR's programs even if other family members are housed elsewhere.

🎒 Your Kids' School Rights — Federal Law

FEDERAL LAW — McKINNEY-VENTO ACT

School Rights for Children Experiencing Homelessness

How to access it: Go to your child's school and ask for the McKinney-Vento Liaison. Every school district is required to have one. They are there to help you — not to report you.

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Immediate Enrollment Your child can enroll right now, even without records, transcripts, or proof of address

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Free School Meals Automatically qualifies for free breakfast and lunch — no paperwork required

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Transportation Right to transportation to their original school even if you've moved out of the district

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Waived Fees School fees, activity costs, and uniform requirements can be waived

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School Stability Your child has the right to stay in their current school even if your housing situation changes

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Support Services Access to tutoring, counseling, and other school support services

💡 "Doubled up" counts. If you're couch-surfing, staying in a motel, or sharing housing with another family, your children still qualify for ALL McKinney-Vento protections — this law isn't just for people sleeping outside.

🏔️ State & Federal — Long-Term Housing Programs

RENTAL ASSISTANCE — UP TO 24 MONTHS

Rapid Re-Housing (RRH)

Colorado Division of Housing program that provides short-to-medium term rental assistance and case management to help families transition back to housing independence.

Rental assistanceSubsidized rent payments for up to 24 months while you stabilize
Case managementA dedicated worker helping you build toward self-sufficiency
Housing search helpAssistance finding and securing a rental unit

How to access RRH: Call the Boulder County Housing Helpline at 303-441-1206 or go through Coordinated Entry. You'll be assessed and matched to available programs.

HOUSING VOUCHERS — CUSTODY SITUATIONS

Family Unification Program (FUP)

A federal housing voucher program for families where lack of adequate housing is the primary barrier to keeping or regaining custody of their children.

Who qualifiesFamilies where housing instability is a documented child welfare concern
What it providesLong-term housing voucher (Section 8 style) for a stable permanent home
How to accessThrough Boulder County Housing Authority — ask at 303-441-1206

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