Homelessness

 

Pennsylvania Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program

The PA ECYEH Program assures executions of the federal legislation, McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987. The act defines the term “homeless children and youth” as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. Implementation of this program ensures that homeless children and youth have equal access to the same, free, appropriate, public education as provided to other children and youth.  Additional documentation is available at the bottom of this page (HERE).

 

Homeless Children and Youth May be Found Living in the Following Places or Situations:

  • Public or private shelters;
  • With a parent in a domestic violence shelter;
  • Transitional housing programs;
  • Public or private places not designated for, or ordinarily used as regular sleeping accommodations such as; vehicles, parks, hotels/motels, campgrounds, etc.;
  • Individuals and/or families staying with relatives or friends due to lack of housing;
  • Unaccompanied Homeless Youth – a child not in the physical custody of a legal parent or guardian. Includes: runaways, children thrown out or kicked out of their home;
  • Children abandoned or separated from their parents;
  • Children of migrant families who lack adequate housing.

 

Rights of Homeless Children and Youth Include:

  • Continuing their education in their current school, and provide transportation to that school;
  • Immediate enrollment in the school district where they are temporarily housed;
  • Assistance with obtaining school records. *Note: lack of school records may not affect the right to immediate enrollment;
  • Participation in all applicable school programs, including supplementary instructional programs, field trips, and other enrichment activities as well as after-school recreational programs, etc;
  • Assistance with school-related expenses, such as: supplies, clothing, uniforms, meals, etc.

 

Helping the Homeless

Each school district in the United States has a designated Homeless Liaison. This person is responsible for assuring that each homeless child or youth receives all the services guaranteed by federal law.

  • Bellwood-Antis School District Homeless Liaison: Anna P, Young, [email protected], (814) 742-2275

 

In addition, Pennsylvania is served by eight regional PA ECYEH Programs that cover all counties and school districts in the state.



Contact may also be made to:

Pennsylvania Department of Education

Division of Student and Safe School Services

Pennsylvania Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program

333 Market Street, 5th Floor

Harrisburg, PA 17126

Phone: (717) 683-6468

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