Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH)
Freedom is meaningless if people cannot put food in their stomachs, if they can have no shelter, if illiteracy and disease continue to dog them. – Nelson Mandela
In 1987, Congress passed the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, (subsequently renamed 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. On December 10, 2015, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was enacted, amending McKinney-Vento.
If your family is in a temporary or inadequate living situation due to a loss of housing, your child might be eligible for certain educational rights and services. The federal mandate ensures that 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, and transportation so that they can remain in their school of origin.
Under McKinney Vento all school districts are responsible for identifying students experiencing homelessness and connecting them with the resources needed to ensure academic success.
Who is considered homeless—Children or youth living in a shelter, transitional housing, hotel/motel, vehicle, campground, on the street or doubled up with friends or family due to a lack of alternate resources are considered homeless. An unaccompanied homeless 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 in which they find permanent housing, provided it is in the child/youth’s best interest.
If through consultation between the school and the family and/or unaccompanied youth 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 school that non-homeless students living in the attendance area in which the child/youth is actually living are eligible to attend, 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 supports can school districts provide to homeless students?—Homeless students are eligible for supports and services to remove barriers to educational success. This may include transportation to the school of origin, free meals, referrals to physical/mental health providers, clothing to meet school requirements, access to school supplies and resources, assistance with credit recovery, tutoring supports, expedited evaluations and assistance to participate in school activities including parent engagement opportunities, sports, club, etc.
Homeless Dispute Process—If at any time 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. At this time, the district will provide the family/unaccompanied youth with the ability to dispute their determination. Throughout the dispute process, the child/youth, including
unaccompanied youth, will continue to be educated in the school of origin or immediately enrolled in the school they are seeking enrollment 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.
What if I think that I am eligible for services under McKinney Vento?— If you think you may qualify for McKinney-Vento services, please contact the School Counselor or the Enrollment Coordinator for additional information. If you require immediate assistance, please refer to the support resources listed below.
For families in need of emergency housing assistance, contact the Allegheny Link at 1-866-730-2368 or visit their website: https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Services/Housing/Allegheny-Link. The Allegheny Link is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
General Resources
General Help / Referrals
- PA 211 Southwest Referral Line: 1-800-222-8848
- Employment
- PA CareerLink Employment Services: 724-755-2330
- Safety / Domestic Violence
- Alle-Kiski HOPE Center: 724-224-1266
- Center for Victims: 1-866-644-2882
Allegheny County Resources
Shelter / Housing
- Rent Help Pittsburgh: 412-343-0545
- Family Links: 866-583-6003
- HEARTH: https://hearthpgh.org/
- Light of Life Mission (Shelter & Recovery Services): 412-258-6100
- Auberle (Youth & Family Housing Support): 412-673-5800
Food Assistance
- Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank: 412-460-3663
Safety / Domestic Violence
- Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh: 412-687-8005
Additional Support
- The Salvation Army (Various Supports Including Homelessness Services): https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/homelessness/
- Neighborhood Legal Services: 412-255-6700
Westmoreland County Resources
Shelter / Housing
- Westmoreland County Housing Authority: 724-832-7248
- Welcome Home Shelter: 724-838-9133
- Blackburn Shelter: 724-836-1122
Food Assistance
- Westmoreland County Food Bank: 724-468-8660
Additional Questions or Information
Please contact:
- Ms. Taylor Atkins, School Counselor
Phone: 412-361-1008 × 204 | Email: tatkins@urbanacademypgh.org