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McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Education

The Education for Homeless Children and Youths (EHCY) program, authorized under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (McKinney-Vento Act), is designed to address the needs of homeless children and youths and ensure educational rights and protections for these children and youths. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) amended the McKinney-Vento Act, and changes made by the ESSA will take effect on October 1, 2016.

Who is considered homeless? -- An individual who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including children and youth who are:
- Sharing housing
- Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds
- Living in emergency or transitional housing
- Abandoned or Runaways
- Awaiting foster care
- Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings.
- Migratory children who qualify as homeless because they are living in the circumstances described above.

New student to District -- Enrollment can be immediate. Please contact our District Registrar, Mrs. Carol Staley, 724.796.1551 ext. 2418 or [email protected]

Current student in District -- Contact Building Principal further assistance.

School placement -- School of origin, if the parent wishes and it is feasible
School in area of current residency

Transportation -- To counteract the educational disruption caused by students’ mobility, the McKinney-Vento Act provides these students with the right to continue attending the school of origin, or enroll in any public school that non-homeless students who live in the same attendance area are eligible to attend, according to the student’s best interest. When determining a student’s best interest, the following factors should be considered:
- The age of the child or youth
- The distance of a commute and the impact it may have on the student’s education
- Personal safety issues
- A student’s need for special instruction (e.g., special education and related services)
- The length of anticipated stay in a temporary shelter or other temporary location
- The time remaining in the school year

Online Resources

BEC 42 USC 11431 EDUCATION FOR HOMELESS YOUTH.pdf
Policy #251 Homeless Students
Dispute Resolution Process.pdf

District Contact: Sally Cowden, Homeless Liaison, 724.796.1551 ext 2391 [email protected]

State Contact:
Storm Camara, ECYEH Statewide Coordinator
717.772.2066
[email protected]
http://www.education.state.pa.us
PDE Search: Homeless Children

Homeless Liaison

Mrs. Sally Cowden

Food Service Clerk

Email Me

Office: 724-796-1551 x 2391

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE
This hotline provides crisis intervention, information about domestic violence and referrals to local service providers to victims of domestic violence and those calling on their behalf.

National Runaway Safeline: 1-800-786-2929
The National Runaway Switchboard (NRS) helpline gives help and hope to youth and their families by providing non-judgmental, confidential crisis intervention and local and national referrals 24 hours a day.

PA 2-1-1 Southwest
Dial 2-1-1 as an easy-to-remember telephone number or search their database as a web resource. Find health and human services for everyday needs and crisis situations.

NeedHelpPayingBills.com
Several different non-profit agencies work with the Bureau of Homeless Services to prevent and reverse homelessness in Allegheny County. They offer a number of potential solutions to tenants and anyone that is currently homeless in the county or the city of Pittsburgh.

Washington County Homeless Services
Washington County offers a wide array of housing options and services for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, including: emergency shelter, permanent housing and supportive services; street outreach, engagement and case management; and prevention strategies.

Blueprints

Blueprints, formerly Community Action Southwest, is a non-profit organization that serves 20,000 residents in Greene County, Washington County, and West Virginia. Our 50 programs act as catalyst to mobilize the resources of the entire community, enabling families and individuals to attain the skills, knowledge, motivations, and opportunities to become self-sufficient.