The McKinney-Vento Definition of Homeless

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act was established in 1987 and amended by The Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015.  The Act defines the term “homeless children and youths” as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. Under McKinney Vento all school districts are responsible for identifying students experiencing homelessness and connecting them with the resources needed to ensure academic success. 

(A) Homelessness means– Individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence

(B) includes–

(i) children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; or are abandoned in hospitals;

 

(ii) children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings

 

(iii) children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and 

 

(iv) migratory children (as such term is defined in section 1309 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965) who qualify as homeless for the purposes of this subtitle because the children are living in circumstances described in clauses (i) through (iii).

 

*Per Title IX, Part A of the Every Student Succeeds Act, “awaiting foster care placement” was removed from the definition of homeless on December 10, 2016; the only exception to his removal is that “covered states” have until December 10, 2017 to remove “awaiting foster care placement” from their definition of homeless.

 

Who is considered homeless?

 

  • Children and youth sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, camping grounds, cars or vehicles; are living in emergency or transitional shelters
  • Children and youth who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodations (cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations or similar settings).
  • An unaccompanied youth- is a child or youth that is not in the care of their parent or legal guardian and meets the definition of homeless under McKinney Vento

 

Where can students experiencing homelessness attend school?

The law indicates that homeless students have the right to remain in their school origin (the school they attended at the time of the homeless episode or last school attended) through the end of the school year, provided it is in the child/youth’s best interest.If through consultation between the school and the family it is determined that remaining in the school of origin is not in the student’s best interest, then the student has the right to immediately enroll in the attendance area in which the child/youth is actually living, even if they do not have all of the required documentation. Additionally, unaccompanied homeless youth have the right to immediately enroll in school even if they do not have a legal guardian present. 

 

What support can school districts provide to homeless students?

Homeless children and youth have access to the same free and appropriate public education as other children. Children who are homeless may qualify for assistance with school lunch, school supplies, tutoring, credit recovery, expedited evaluations, assistance to participate in school activities, and transportation.        

 

What is the Homeless Dispute Process? 

If there is a disagreement about homeless status or best interest for school placement, the district will notify the family in writing of their determination that the family/unaccompanied youth is ineligible for McKinney Vento services. The district will provide the family/unaccompanied youth with the ability to dispute their determination. Throughout the dispute process, the child will continue to be educated in the school of origin or immediately enrolled in the school they are seeking to enroll in until the dispute process is finalized. Transportation will continue throughout the dispute process. All disputes will be sent to the ECYEH Regional Coordinator who will issue a determination. If any party is unhappy with the determination, they can elevate the dispute to the state coordinator. If you believe that your child may qualify for this service, please contact the Principal of your child’s school or the district's homeless liaison. 

 

Board Policy for Homelessness (200 Pupils and Policy 251)

https://go.boarddocs.com/pa/youg/Board.nsf/Public?open&id=policies#

 

THE BASIC EDUCATION CIRCULAR explains the categories of children who are "homeless" and entitled to the protections of the federal law. Please visit the website for more information.

https://www.education.pa.gov/Policy-Funding/BECS/uscode/Pages/EducationforHomelessYouth.aspx\

 

Helping Homeless Students in Yough School District

Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH) Program

 

ECYEH helps homeless children and youth access Pennsylvania’s public schools by removing barriers to a free and appropriate education. The goal of the program is to have a child’s education continue as uninterrupted as possible while he or she is homeless. The program also provides school supplies, transportation arrangements to and from school, and resources to the families of homeless children.

 

On July 22, 1987 the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Act became public law. This was the first comprehensive federal law dealing with the problem of homelessness in America. Included in the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act, the law is now referred to as the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvement Act of 2001.

Provisions of the Act:

  • Homeless Children have the right to attend either their original school or the school in the area in which they currently reside for the duration of the homelessness.
  • Schools are to immediately enroll homeless children and unaccompanied youth, even if they are unable to produce records normally required for enrollment, such as previous academic records, medical records, proof of residency, and any other required documentation.
  • In the case where the educating district is different than the district where the student is temporarily residing, both school districts are responsible for the facilitation of transportation in the best interest of the student
  • Immediately upon enrollment, homeless students are entitled to receive a daily, free school lunch.

 

The District Homeless Liaison can support and help students in homeless situations in many ways. Yough School District’s Liaison is Mr. Anthony Greece, Director of Special Education.

 

The Liaison may assist families with the following:

  • Make sure students are enrolled in school immediately, even if they do not have the papers they would normally need.
  • Help families and youth get immunizations, immunization records or other medical records, if a student needs them.
  • Discuss transportation services and help set up transportation.
  • Ensure students get the school services they need.
  • Tell parents and guardians about all the programs and services the school has for their children.

If you are living in any of the following situations:

  • Shelter
  • Motel
  • Vehicle
  • Campground
  • Living with others because you can’t afford or find housing

We may be able to help you:

  • Enroll in school
  • Remain in your school if you move to another area
  • With transportation to and from school
  • Receive free school meals
  • Other services

Links:

Pennsylvania Department of Education: https://www.education.pa.gov/K-12/Homeless%20Education/Pages/default.aspx

 

Available Resources

Food assistance, paying housing bills, accessing free childcare, or other essential services.
http://www.211.org/services/covid19

Homeless Shelters
https://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/cgi-bin/id/city.cgi?city=Greensburg&state=PA7

Valley Youth House
https://www.valleyyouthhouse.org/programs/transitional-housing/bridge2home-host-homes/

Blackburn Center
https://www.blackburncenter.org/

 

Housing and Shelters

https://www.westmorelandcountypa.gov/3264/Housing-and-Shelter

 

  • Westmoreland County Housing Authority- 724-832-7248
  • Westmoreland Non-Profit Housing Corp. Eastmont Estates site- 724-838-0818
  • Westmoreland County Department of Public Assistance- 724-832-5200
  • PA Career Link Employment Services- 724-755-2330
  • Angel Food Ministries through Life Spring Christian Church- 724-832-7514
  • Homes Build Hope- 724-838-0752 Available Resources (cont’d.)
  • Habitat for Humanity- 724-523-0308
  • Westmoreland Community Action -Next Step Housing Program 724-834-1260
  • Referral Line- PA 211 Southwest- 1-800-222-8848
  • Westmoreland County Food Bank- 724-468-8660
  • Welcome Home Shelter- 724-838-9133
  • Blackburn Shelter- 724-836-1122

The following numbers may be able to assist with first month’s rent and/or security deposit:

  • Christian Layman’s- 724-834-4464
  • Westmoreland County Housing Authority- 724-832-7248
  • Catholic Charities- 724-837-1840
  • Salvation Army- 724-834-3335

Contact:         

Mr. Anthony Greece, Director of Special Education

915 Lowber Road, Herminie PA 15637

724-446-7272, Ext 1004

 

Mrs. Debra Pils, Special Education Secretary

915 Lowber Road, Herminie PA 15637

724-446-7272, Ext 1045