Homelessness

Education for Homeless Youth

Plum Borough School District is obligated to identify all children within the district who may be experiencing homelessness. In compliance with the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, as reauthorized in 2015 by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), our district has developed a policy to protect and support these students.

The term "homeless children and youth" is defined as individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.  This includes individuals:

• Sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason

• Living in a motel, hotel, trailer park or campground due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations

• Living in emergency or transitional shelters

• Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, bus or train stations or similar settings

• Living in substandard housing (no running water or working utilities, infestations, etc.)

In efforts to continue to provide high-quality education and experiences to our families and students, children who are experiencing homelessness may qualify for assistance with free school lunch, school supplies/materials, tutoring, and transportation, so that they can remain in their school of origin throughout their homelessness.  

If you know of families or individual students who may qualify for this service, please contact: 

Special Education & Pupil Services Office: McKinney-Vento Liaison

Dr. Denise Lohr

412-798-6368

lohrd@pbsd.net