McKinney-Vento

Ms. Raphael is the Social Worker for MaST II and the McKinney-Vento liaison at MaST Tacony campus.  

Please contact her with any questions, concerns, or for support!   

araphael@mast2.org 

If you feel that you that the local education agency has not complied with requirements set forth in the McKinney-Vento Act - you can follow the procedures outlined in the Dispute Resolution process explained here- 

Pennsylvania’s Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness – Dispute Process 

Pennsylvania’s Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness – Dispute Letter 

Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) Program

The McKinney–Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act guarantees a free and appropriate public education for all homeless children and youth. B.E.C. 42 U.S.C. 11431 outlines procedures for deciding school placement, enrolling students, and determining responsibility. Federal and state laws make our responsibility clear.

What situations fit this definition?

• Staying in the home of other people due to unavailable housing, financial hardship, or similar circumstances

• Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks (in some instances – examples: leaking roof, no heat, etc.), public places, or campgrounds due to unavailable suitable housing options

• Living in an emergency shelter or transitional housing

• Unaccompanied (not living in direct care of legal parent or guardian) or runaway youth

• Refugee and migrant youth

• Awaiting long-term Foster care placement

How does McKinney-Vento help these students?

The law ensures that "homeless" youth receive a free and suitable public education by removing barriers to school enrollment and full, basic, daily participation in school activities. This includes:

• Immediate enrollment

• Free and Reduced School Lunch

• Help from school with any necessary enrollment documents

• Help from school setting up transportation service (if the student qualifies)

• Help from school with getting basic uniform clothing

• Help from school with basic school supplies

• Help from school with any basic clothing needs

• Help from school with basic high school graduation needs and expenses

Homelessness Resources:

Food And Wellness Network (FAWN): For children between 0-15 months old; by appointment only. Call and leave a message to schedule (267) 236-1558 

Emergency Rental/Mortgage Assistance:

Utility Emergency Services Fund: 1617 JFK Blvd. Suite 840, Philadelphia PA 19103 (215) 972-5170

Emergency Shelter Assistance Program: State Office Building, 801 Market St., 5th Fl. Philadelphia PA 19107 (215) 560-1976

Emergency Assistance and Response Unit: 5252 N. 13th St., Philadelphia PA 19141 (215) 685-9087

Women and Children: Apple Tree Family Center, 1430 Cherry St., Philadelphia PA 19102 (215) 686-7150

Single Men: Roosevelt Darby Center, 802 N. Broad St., Philadelphia PA 19130 (215) 685-3700

Men or Women with Children: Red Shield Family Residence, 715 N. Broad St., Philadelphia PA 19123 (215) 787-2887

Youth (under 21 only): Youth Emergency Shelter, 1526 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130 - (215) 787-0633 

or Covenant House, 31 E. Armat St., Philadelphia, PA 19144 - (215) 951-5411

Circle Thrift: 1125 S. Broad St., Philadelphia PA 19147 (215) 468-0645

The Five Percent Clothing Bin – Hawthorne Recreation Center, 1200 Carpenter St., Philadelphia PA 19147 (215) 685-1848 - Tuesday, 2-7 PM and Saturday, 12-5 PM

Lighthouse Ministries – 2945 Wharton St., Philadelphia PA 19146 . (215) 463-2434 - Tuesday, 11 AM -1 PM and Wednesday, 9 PM following meeting at 7 PM

Utility Emergency Services Fund – 1617 JFK Blvd. Suite 840, Philadelphia PA 19103

(215) 972-5170 Read more: https://www.philaccess.org/resources/crisis/

Food Assistance:

Philabundance: (800) 319-3663. Press 1 for “Assistance finding food in your area."