HOMELESS CHILDREN & YOUTH

Educational barriers experienced by homeless students are often more complex and challenging than those experienced by other students. School can be a source of stability and hope during a time of chaos and trauma when a young person loses his or her housing.

HOMELESS EDUCATION RIGHTS

Pennsylvania's Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (Pennsylvania ECYEH) Program was established to ensure that homeless youth have access to a free and appropriate public education while removing barriers that homeless children face. Its goal is to have the educational process continue as uninterrupted as possible while the children are in homeless situations.  Guided by the rules and regulations of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act and the Pennsylvania ECYEH Program, the Penns Manor Area School District is committed to helping all children and youth of our district to achieve an appropriate public education.

AM I HOMELESS?

The Pennsylvania Department of Education defines homeless as an individual who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including children and youth who are:

• Sharing housing
• Living in, hotels, motels, trailer parks, or camping grounds
• Living in emergency or transitional housing
• Abandoned or Runaways
• Awaiting foster care
• Living in cars, parks, public spaces, or abandoned hospitals
• Migratory children who qualify as homeless because they are living in the circumstances described above

COMMON QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q. Can my child remain attending their current school district if identified as homeless?

A.  The law indicates that the local agency shall, according to the child's best interest:

(i) continue the child’s or youth’s education in the school of origin for the duration of homelessness (I) in any case in which a family becomes homeless between academic years or during an academic year;

OR

(ii) for the remainder of the academic year, if the child or youth becomes permanently housed during an academic year; or (II) enroll the child or youth in any public school that non-homeless students who live in the attendance area in which the child or youth is actually living are eligible to attend.

Q. Are there any circumstances that could delay enrolling a homeless child?

A. No. The school selected shall immediately enroll the child/youth in school, even if the child or youth lacks records normally required for enrollment, such as previous academic records, medical records, proof of residency, or other documentation. The terms "enroll" and "enrollment" are defined to include attending classes and participating fully in school activities. The enrolling school must immediately contact the last school the child or youth attended to obtain relevant academic and other records. Immunization records can be transferred over the phone from the school nurse of the sending school to the school nurse of the receiving school. 

Q. Where can I go for help?

A. The Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program exists to help homeless children with a wide variety of services. The Penns Manor School District can assist homeless children during this difficult and stressful time. If you are homeless with school-age children, please contact one of the individuals listed below.

___________________________________

CONTACT INFORMATION

        Mrs. Julianne Miller                                       Mr. Matthew Carney                         
        Homeless Liaison                                              Foster Care POC                             

    (724) 254-2666; Ext 4951                                (724) 254-2666; Ext 2765                             

    [email protected]                              [email protected]                   

       Mrs. Sarah Schroth                    Mrs. Irene Walker                 Mr. Storm Camara

      Regional Coordinator          Regional Coordinator for Foster Care         State Coordinator

   (724) 463-5300, Ext 1203         (724) 463-5300, Ext 1207                (717) 772-2066

       [email protected]                     [email protected]