Immigrant Family Support

SBUSD Welcome Visitors Sign
SBUSD Welcome Visitors Sign Spanish

Santa Barbara Unified is committed to ensuring every child—no matter their immigration status—receives a free, safe, and welcoming public education.  As stated in Resolution No. 2024-25-18 in Support of Students and Families, the District, Santa Barbara Teachers Association (SBTA), and California School Employees Association (CSEA) believe in the humanity of all persons above the national rhetoric that is causing fear and harming our immigrant families. 

We have strong policies in place to protect our students and families, which you can review here:

With those values in mind, please know that our schools continue to be safe spaces for all children. Below are a series of rights your child(ren) has:

  • A right to free public education, regardless of their or their parents’/guardians’ immigration status
  • Schools are prohibited from voluntarily granting immigration enforcement officers access to campus. They need a judicial warrant or court order. 
  • Unless explicitly required by law, schools are prohibited from personal information including:
    • Requesting social security numbers
    • Inquiring about the citizenship or immigration status of students, their parents, or guardians

CA Office of the Attorney General Resources

California state leaders developed a website with family resources, which will continue to be updated as federal guidelines change:

Local Immigrant Legal Resources

  • IMPORTA
    • Provide immigration legal services at a very low cost to low-income immigrant
  • Immigrant Hope
    • Provides low-cost education and immigration services
  • SB County ILDC
    • Provides pro bono legal services to indigent immigrants in deportation proceedings and educating immigrants on their basic civil rights. 
  • SBCC Dream Center
    • The Dream Center is a bilingual (English/Spanish) resource for all undocumented and mixed status students in need of legal support, academic guidance, advocacy, and a space for belonging on campus.
  • DACA Legal Services
    • A list of organizations that provide DACA renewal assistance.

Community-Based Mental Health Resources

  • CALM
    • Provides individual therapy, home visitation, parenting classes, postpartum support, group therapy and support, and mental health consultation in early education settings.
  • Family Service Agency
    • Supports children, families and seniors by ensuring access to food, shelter and other basic needs, as well as providing case management, advocacy, and mental health programs.
  • Mental Wellness Center
    • Provides support for adults living with mental health challenges, wellness & recovery activities, mental health education, housing & residential services, and education & support groups for families contending with serious mental health illness in a  family member or loved one.
  • Hospice of Santa Barbara
    • Provides compassionate care and support for anyone experiencing the impact of serious illness or grieving the death of a loved one.

Statewide & National Legal Resources

  • National Immigrant Law Center
    • Provides information and advocates for policies and laws that advance and defend the rights of low-income immigrant communities.
  • Immigrants Rising
    • Provides resources and support for undocumented people.
  • Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC)
    • Provides information and advocates for policies and laws that advance and defend the rights of low-income immigrant communities.
  • ACLU
    • Provides information and advocates for policies and laws that advance and defend the rights of low-income immigrant communities.
  • CHIRLA
    • Provides immigrant legal services​​​​​​​

Afterschool Programs

  • A-OK
    • Santa Barbara Unified School District provides subsidized after school programs at all 8 elementary school sites and La Cumbre Junior High School.
  • Boys & Girls Club
    • Provides afterschool programs and activities for youth.
  • Girls, Inc
    • Provides mentorship, safe spaces, and programming that address the unique challenges girls face and are proven to help girls succeed.
  • Santa Barbara Public Library
    • Provides free library services as well as free classes and events that are open to the public.

 

Basic Needs

  • LEAP Family Resource Ctr.
    • Provinces classes, education, resources and referrals to meet community needs.
  • Unity Shoppe
    • Provides residents with groceries, clothing, and other essentials, as well as job training.
  • Catholic Charities
    • Provides food through their food pantry, clothing & shoe vouchers, medical referrals, rental & utility assistance, hygiene kits, and a reduced ID voucher.
  • Foodbank Santa Barbara County
    • Provides fresh produce, nutritious groceries and nutrition education for all, from preschoolers to older adults, veterans to farmworkers.
  • CommUnify
    • Provides childcare, youth mentoring, behavioral health support, utility payment assistance, senior home repair, and weatherization services.
  • Assistance League (Operation School Bell)
    • Provides new clothes, health kits, and school supplies for income eligible students from kindergarten to sixth grade.
  • DRIVERS LISTOS - (805) 965-8840
    • Provides safe rides for immigrants at risk who are afraid to drive due to ICE enforcement.
  • 805UndocuFund
    • Proves short-term financial relief to undocumented residents.

Medical Resources

  • Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics
    • Provides high quality, comprehensive, affordable healthcare to all people, regardless of their ability to pay.
  • SEE International
    • Provides eyecare to individuals who may not otherwise have access to these services in our local community. Services include eyecare screenings, comprehensive eye exams, and prescription glasses at no cost to the patient. Any necessary follow-up care, including surgeries, is based on eligibility requirements.