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Office of Student Services » McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act can help provide school stability for children experiencing homelessness or who do not have a permanent home.  See below for information regarding Pennsylvania's Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program. 
 
Definition:
The term “homeless child and youth” is defined as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including children and youth who are:
 
• Sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reasons;
• Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to lack of alternative adequate accommodation;
• Living in emergency or transitional shelters;
• Abandoned in hospitals;
• Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, or bus or train stations, or similar settings;
• Sleeping in a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, regular sleeping accommodations; and,
• Migratory- who qualify as homeless living in the circumstances described above. A child or youth shall be considered to be experiencing homelessness for as long as he or she is in a living situation described above.
• Unaccompanied- not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian; in practical terms, this means the youth does not live with the parent or guardian, who is in transition as defined above.
 
St. Marys Area School District Homeless Liaison
Mrs. Chrissy Kuhar - Assistant Superintendent
814-781-2171
 
The SMASD Homeless Liaison can assist with: 
  • School enrollment/placement 
  • Agency referrals  
  • Tracking/transferring school records 
  • Accessing educational programs and interventions
  • Interagency problem-solving 
  • Relevant literature related to homelessness 
  • Increasing public awareness of homeless issues 
  • Free meals at school
  • School transportation
  • Consultative phone calls to answer school, agency, and shelter questions  
 
If you are aware of or suspect a child is experiencing homelessness, please make a report to the SMASD Homelessness Liaison by calling 814-781-2171. 
 
Additional Contacts:
Sarah Schroth - Regional Coordinator
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (724) 463-5300, ext. 1203
 
Irene Walker - Regional Coordinator for Foster Care
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (724) 463-5300, ext. 1207
 
Contact may also be made to:
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Division of Student and Safe School Services
Pennsylvania Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program
333 Market Street, 5th Floor
Harrisburg, Pa   17126
(717) 683-6468
 
 
PDE Education for Homeless Youth - BEC 
 
Frequently Asked Questions
Miracle Minute
SMAHS Miracle Minute
Finding Your Way

Finding Your Way in PA

Finding Your Way in PA is a Pennsylvania-based mobile and desktop app designed to share services, resources, and information with young people and families, particularly those experiencing homelessness. While using the app, users can search for and request assistance with services and resources in their current location, local communities, and throughout PA to connect them with helpful support.

 

Vax Teen 
Young people are taking control of their own health to put an end to preventable diseases.  Learn more at
https://www.vaxteen.org/
 
Pennsylvania Law and Consent Information
https://www.vaxteen.org/pennsylvania
 
 
 
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a Federal Communications Commission program that helps Pennsylvanians with low incomes pay for broadband service and internet-connected devices necessary to maintain reliable internet access in their homes.