TRUA – DPS School Referral Pilot

Overview

The Denver Public Schools (DPS) pilot is a special referral pathway within the Denver TRUA Program that allows school staff to refer families directly to TRUA — bypassing the standard monthly lottery and 24-hour application window. This pathway is documented in the 2026 TRUA Program Guidelines.

How It Differs from Standard TRUA

Feature Standard TRUA DPS Pilot
Application window 3rd Tuesday of each month, 24-hour window Exempt — referrals accepted outside the window
Selection method Random lottery Direct referral from school staff
Assistance structure Up to 6 months (lump sum) May be provided month-to-month
Eligibility Same income/residency requirements apply Same, plus child must be enrolled in DPS

Eligibility

All standard TRUA eligibility requirements apply (see Denver TRUA Program):

  • Denver resident
  • Income at or below 80% AMI
  • Experiencing housing crisis
  • Current Demand for Rent or active eviction case (FED)
  • Plus: At least one child enrolled in a Denver Public Schools campus

How to Get a Referral

  1. Contact your child's school social worker or counselor and explain your housing situation. Ask specifically about a TRUA referral through the DPS pilot program.
  2. If the school does not have a dedicated social worker, contact the DPS Student Equity & Opportunity office, which oversees Social Work & Psychological Services district-wide: studentequity.dpsk12.org
  3. You can also call Denver 311 (press 6) and ask to be connected to the DPS pilot pathway.

Why This Matters

The standard TRUA application opens for just 24 hours per month and uses random selection — meaning many families apply but are not selected. The DPS pilot bypasses this lottery entirely, making it a significantly more reliable pathway to assistance for families with children in Denver Public Schools.

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