Homelessness

McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ensures that children and youth experiencing homelessness have equal access to the same free, appropriate public education as other children and youth.

Definition of Homelessness:
Under the McKinney-Vento Act, “homeless children and youth” are individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This includes children and youth who:

• Share housing with others due to loss of housing or economic hardship (“doubled up”)

• Live in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to lack of alternative accommodations

• Live in emergency or transitional shelters

• Live in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, or similar settings

Rights of Students Experiencing Homelessness

Students who are experiencing homelessness have the right to:

• Immediate enrollment in school, even if required documents (such as proof of residency, immunizations, or school records) are not immediately available.

• Transportation to and from their school of origin, if requested.

• Access to free school meals and participation in all programs and services available to other students, including Title I, special education, and extracurricular activities.

• Educational stability and the right to remain in the school of origin when it is in the student’s best interest.

• Dispute Resolution Process (If You Disagree With a Homelessness Decision):

1. Tell us you disagree.

2. Your child stays in school right away—in the school you choose—while we review the concern.

3. We give you a written explanation of the decision and your rights.

4. The Homeless Liaison helps you through the process.

5. If you’re still not satisfied, you can appeal to the state.

Unaccompanied Youth Definition and Rights

An unaccompanied youth is a child or youth who is not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian and meets the McKinney-Vento definition of homelessness.
Unaccompanied youth have the same rights to immediate enrollment, transportation, and educational stability as other students experiencing homelessness.

District Policy and State Guidance

• East Penn School District Board Policy 251 – Homeless Students:
  https://go.boarddocs.com/pa/epen/Board.nsf/Public#

• Pennsylvania Department of Education Basic Education Circular (BEC): Education for Homeless Youth:
  https://ecyeh.center-school.org/resources/basic-education-circulars/

Local Contact Information

East Penn School District McKinney-Vento / Homeless Liaison
Daniel M. Brown
Homeschool Visitor & McKinney-Vento Liaison
Cell Phone: 484-221-0250

Office Phone: 610-966-8411, Ext. 18441
dmbrown@eastpennsd.org
East Penn School District
800 Pine Street, Emmaus, PA 18049

If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness or housing instability, please contact Daniel Brown for assistance and support or Dr. Thomas Mirabella, Director of Student Services at 610-966-8372.

. Please click on this link for more family support.  https://www.eastpennsd.org/studentservices/support-for-students-families/