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Ferndale Area School District

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Homeless Education

Homeless Education Resources

Homeless Education

Pennsylvania's Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program was established to make sure 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 and student services continue as uninterrupted as possible while the children are in homeless situations. Some of the other main objectives of Pennsylvania's Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program are to increase awareness about the needs of homeless children, explain current laws and policies, and provide practical tips for working with homeless children.  The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Improvement Act of 2001 requires all school districts to inform parents/guardians of their rights under this act.  Specifically, it states that, pending any dispute resolution regarding school placement, a school district must immediately enroll a homeless student in the student’s school of origin or other school selected on the basis of the child’s best interest and provide a written explanation of the rights of appeal to the parent/guardian of the student.

Additional information, Homeless Guides, Dispute Resolution Guidance and other valuable information for students and parents/guardians can be found on the District website www.fasdk12.org and you may reference District policy 251, Homeless Students.

Links:

Education for Homeless Youth Basic Education Circular (BEC)

FASD Board Policy - Students Experiencing Homelessness, Foster Care and other Educational Instability

McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001

On July 22, 1987, the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act became public law. This was the first comprehensive federal law dealing with the problems of homelessness in America. Recently included in the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act, it is now called the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001.  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.

Unaccompanied Youth

Under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (MKV), youth who are not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian and are lacking a fixed, regular or adequate nighttime residence are considered displaced and eligible for rights under the homeless education law.

Homeless Liaison Contact:  

Dr. William Brotz, Assistant Superintendent/Jr.Sr.HS Principal.  wbrotz@fasdk12.org phone 814-535-1507 x1005

Key duties of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison: 

  • Develop, modify and review LEA policies and procedures. 

  • Use housing questionnaires, (Intake Form) to document enrollment of homeless students. Develop a system of data records of homeless students, including monitoring academic records, attendance information, graduation rate, etc. 

  • Use the state system for data input. 

  • Be familiar with the privacy rights of homeless students and families, ensure FERPA rights of all. 

  • Develop, revise and distribute materials, hand-outs and other related documents for students, parents, staff and community. 

  • Coordinate McKinney-Vento issues and activities among LEA administrators. 

  • Implement dispute procedure, when necessary, assure issuance of letter of denial and inform student and parent of right to appeal and process. 

  • Construct and revise as needed, LEA website, handbook and other documents. Coordinate and manage Title I set aside funds with the business office. 

  • Coordinate immediate free lunch and breakfast for homeless students with food service staff. Communicate with other LEA’s (liaisons) on issues involving homeless students. Specifically, transportation, academic records and student best interest determinations. 

  • Establish ongoing communication with parents and keep them informed of student progress and school activities. Encourage parental involvement. 

  • Engage in community activity to identify unenrolled youth. Perform outreach with local entities such as shelters and agencies. 

  • Coordinate, distribute and seek donations and support for homeless students and families. Coordinate and communicate with the regional PAECYEH office. 

  • Attend training and seminars on regional and state level. 

Pennsylvania Department of Education Homeless Education

McKinney Vento Homeless Act

Victim Services of Cambria and Somerset County

Martha and Mary House - Homeless Shelter 814-254-4413