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Who is homeless?
In 1987, Congress passed the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to aid homeless persons. The Act defines the term "homeless children and youths" as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. In December 2015, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was enacted amending McKinney-Vento.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education's Basic Education Circular - Education for Homeless Youth further provides categories of children who are homeless and entitled to the protections of the federal law. These categories include (but are not limited to students who are:
- Sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reasons;
- Living in motels, hotels, or campgrounds or are unsheltered due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations;
- Living in emergency or transitional shelters;
- Unaccompanied homeless youth who are not in the physica custody of a parent or guardian.
Rights of homeless students
Students classified under McKinney-Vento are entitled to the same free, appropriate public education as provided to other children and youths free from barriers that many homeless students face. Homeless students have a right to attend their school of origin or school of their current residence.
Resources
For more information, please visit one of the below resources:
Pennsylvania's Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness
National Center for Homeless Resources
Dauphin County Homeless Assistance Program
If you feel that you and your family qualify for assistance under the McKinney-Vento Act, please contact the Homeless Liasion/School Counselor.
Mr. Marlin Stevens
717-395-6560
