• McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

     

    The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and the Pennsylvania Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program exist to make sure homeless youth have access to a free and appropriate public education while removing barriers that homeless children face.

    Information for School-Age Youth: If you live in any of the following situations (or similar situations), you may qualify for certain educational rights and protections under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.:

    • A shelter
    • A motel or campground due to the lack of an alternative adequate accommodation
    • A car, park, abandoned building, bus or train station, or other public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings
    • Doubled up with other people due to loss of housing or economic hardship
    • Unaccompanied homeless youth

     

    If you are determined to be an eligible student, you may have the right to:

    • Receive a free, appropriate public education
    • Enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documents normally required for enrollment
    • Enroll in school and attend classes while the school gathers needed documents
    • Enroll in the local school or continue attending your school of origin (the school you attended when permanently housed or the school in which you were last enrolled) if that is your preference and is feasible; if the school district believes that the school selected is not in your best interest, the district must provide you with a written explanation of its position and inform you of your right to appeal its decision
    • Receive transportation to and from the school of origin, if you request this
    • Receive educational services comparable to those provided to other students, according to your needs as a student

     

    If you believe you may be eligible or know someone who could be eligible, contact Dr. Oscar Torres, Director of Equity and Public Programs at 610-240-1909 or torreso@tesd.net to find out what services and supports may be available. Additional information can also be found in Board Policy and Regulation 5455 (Homeless Students), which is available on the District’s website at https://www.tesd.net/page/50.