PA's Education for Homeless Children

This program helps children and youth experiencing homelessness access Pennsylvania's public schools by removing barriers to a free and appropriate public education. The goal is to have a student's education continue with as little interruption as possible while he or she is homeless.

The McKinney-Vento Act

On July 22, 1987, the Stewart B. McKinney Homelessness Act became public law. This was the first comprehensive federal law that addressed homelessness in America. It was included in the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act as the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-110). Subtitle B addresses education for homeless children and youth (Sec. 721-726).

Provisions of the Act

Homeless Children have the right to attend either their original school or the school in the area in which they currently reside for the duration of their homelessness, or until the end of the school year if the family finds permanent housing.
Schools are to immediately enroll homeless children and unaccompanied youth, even if they are unable to produce records normally required for enrollment, such as previous academic records, medical records, proof of residency, and any other required documentation.
In the case where the educating district is different from the district where the student is temporarily residing, both school districts are responsible for the facilitation of transportation in the best interest of the student.
Immediately upon enrollment, homeless students are entitled to receive a daily, free school lunch.

Children and youth experiencing homelessness

A child is considered homeless if he or she is living with or without a parent:

In a homeless or domestic violence shelter
In a public or private place not designated as a regular sleeping accommodation, such as a vehicle, park, hotel, or campground
With relatives or friends due to lack of housing
Outside of his or her home as a runaway or because he/she has been forced out of the home
In a house for unwed mothers and has no other living accommodations
In any of the situations listed above as a child of a migrant family

Assistance available through the program

Links

PDE-PAs Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program

Center for Schools and Communities

For additional information concerning youth residing in Dauphin County, please contact:

Kristen Hoffa
Berks County Intermediate Unit
(610) 987-8509
https://www.berksiu.org/services/education-for-children-youth-experiencing-homelessness-ecyeh/

For additional information concerning youth residing in Cumberland, Perry, and Northern York Counties, please contact:

Sonia Pitzi
Lincoln Intermediate Unit
(717) 718-5924
https://www.iu12.org/domain/154

Displacement/Homelessness Resource Options

For families faced with displacement or fear of being evicted, it can be extremely difficult to find resources on your own. This section provides some resources for our CAIU-surrounding counties. Calling 211 is also helpful to many families, but please click on these links for additional resource ideas.

County Displacement Resource Options

Newsletter for homeless/displacement resources:

https://www.smore.com/uc6vf-national-homelessness-month