Homelessness
If you are experiencing housing issues, you may qualify for certain rights and protections under the federal McKinney-Vento Act. The Pennsylvania Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness program offers services to assist students during this trying time.
If you live in any of the following situations you may qualify:
- A shelter,
- A motel or campground due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodation
- A car, park, abandoned building, bus, or train station,
- Doubled up with other people due to the loss of housing or economic hardship.
Eligible students have the right to:
- Receive a free, appropriate public education.
- Enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documents normally required for enrollment.
- Enroll in school and attend classes while the school gathers needed documents.
- Enroll in the local school or continue attending your school of origin (the school you attended when permanently housed or the school in which you were last enrolled), if that is your preference and is feasible.
- If the school district believes that the school selected is not in your best interest, the district will provide you with a written explanation of its position and inform you of your right to appeal its decision.
- Receive transportation to and from the school of origin, at your request.
- Receive educational services comparable to those provided to other students, according to your needs as a student.
If you believe you are eligible, please contact your school counselor or the district's homeless liaison, Dr. Melissa Brewer.