Region 7 - Homeless

Region 7 Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness

Page Index:

Eligibility & Identification

Determining McKinney-Vento eligibility, identifying students,intake form, questionnaires, checklist, end of year review and understanding living situations.

Enrollment & School Stability

Immediate enrollment, school of origin, transportation, front office guide,residency,Act 1,Act 67 and removing barriers.

Supporting Students & Families

Practical guidance for supporting students,families, unaccompanied youth, check-in,and access to community services.

Liaison Tools & Responsibilities

Checklists, planning tools, handbook, responsibilities including data reporting,McKinney-Vento presentation,documentation, and day-to-day liaison resources.

Special Topics & Student Supports

Early childhood, special education, Act 1, higher education, FAFSA,Title 1 and other student-specific issues.

Laws, Guidance & Disputes

McKinney-Vento law, Pennsylvania guidance, dispute resolution, Act 67,1302s, PA BECs, cyber charter and legal reference materials.

Eligibility and Identification

Student Housing Questionnaire
Helps schools identify students whose current living situation may qualify under McKinney-Vento.

McKinney-Vento Identification & Eligibility Interview
Guides the liaison through a respectful conversation to determine eligibility based on the student's individual living situation.

ECYEH Intake Form

A comprehensive intake tool for documenting student and family information, housing circumstances, McKinney-Vento eligibility factors, enrollment needs, transportation, referrals, and other supports that may be needed.

McKinney-Vento Identification & Referral Staff Guide
Helps school staff recognize possible signs of housing instability and know when to make a referral to the liaison.

Doubled-Up Living Arrangements
Guidance for evaluating doubled-up situations and determining whether a living arrangement meets the McKinney-Vento definition of homelessness.

Students Living with Caregivers or Other Adults
Guidance for situations in which a student is staying with someone other than a parent or legal guardian.

Talking with Families About Housing Instability
Practical guidance for having respectful, nonintrusive conversations with families about housing and living situations.

Checklist After Identification
A practical checklist of steps to take after a student has been identified as eligible under McKinney-Vento.

End-of-Year Housing Status Review
Helps liaisons review a student's housing situation when determining eligibility for the upcoming school year.

When Students Become Permanently Housed
Explains what schools should consider when a student's housing situation becomes fixed, regular, and adequate.

What Do I Do If?

Region 7 case-desk quick reference for common school situations.

Enrollment and School Stability

McKinney-Vento Immediate Enrollment Quick Reference
Guidance for enrolling eligible students immediately and removing documentation or other enrollment barriers.

Front Office & Registration Guide
Practical guidance for registration and front-office staff when enrolling students experiencing homelessness.

School Selection & Best Interest Checklist
Helps schools consider school-of-origin and local-school options based on the student's best interest.

School of Origin Transportation Quick Reference
Explains key considerations and responsibilities for school-of-origin transportation.

Meeting the Transportation Needs of Students Experiencing Homelessness

Article from Schoolhouse Connection disussing driver shortages and transportation strategies for difficult situations.

Transportation Options for Students Experiencing Homelessness A practical quick guide for schools when transportation to the school of origin is not readily available. Provides simple, flexible options including existing or modified routes, coordination between districts, transfer points, mileage reimbursement and gas cards, private transportation, public transit, community partners, and other creative solutions.

Records Transfer & School Transition
Guidance for supporting timely records transfer and smooth transitions when students change schools.

Housing-Related Absences Response Guide
Helps schools respond appropriately when housing instability affects attendance.

Attendance, Truancy & Housing Instability
Guidance for addressing attendance concerns when homelessness or housing instability may be contributing.

Act 1 Addendum

Identification form for students who qualify under Act 1 of 2022.

Act 67 Residency Disputes Quick Reference
Pennsylvania guidance for protecting students' enrollment while residency disputes are being resolved.

Supporting Students and Families

Family & Youth Rights When Housing Is Unstable
Plain-language information about educational rights and protections for families and youth experiencing housing instability.

Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Reference Guide
Guidance for identifying and supporting students experiencing homelessness who are not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian.

Unaccompanied Homeless Youth: A Practical Guide for School Liaisons A practical guide for school liaisons working with unaccompanied homeless youth. Covers common real-world questions involving enrollment, permission forms and field trips, educational records, special education, medical care and emergencies, health insurance, identification documents, driver’s licenses, FAFSA, public benefits, and what changes when a youth turns 18. Includes quick-reference guidance on when a liaison may act or sign on behalf of a student—and when additional authorization is required.

Life Outside of School: Common Questions About Unaccompanied Homeless Youth A practical Pennsylvania-specific guide addressing common real-life questions faced by unaccompanied homeless youth, including driver’s licenses, health care and insurance, identification documents, employment, banking, SNAP, FAFSA, educational records, special education, and emergency housing. Includes clear guidance on what youth can do on their own, when adult consent may be required, and how school liaisons can help.

McKinney-Vento Student Check-In Packet
A practical tool for checking in with students and identifying changing academic, attendance, transportation, and basic-needs concerns.

Referral & Warm Handoff Quick Reference
Helps school staff connect students and families with appropriate services while providing a supportive transition to community resources.

Community Partners & Shelters Referral Guide
Guidance for working effectively with shelters, agencies, and community partners when connecting families with assistance.

Equal Access to Activities & School Life
Guidance for removing barriers to extracurricular activities, school programs, events, and other opportunities.

Trauma, Housing Instability & School
Practical information about how housing instability and trauma can affect students and how school staff can respond supportively.

Language Access & McKinney-Vento Quick Reference
Guidance for ensuring families with limited English proficiency can understand and access McKinney-Vento rights and services.

Liaison Tools & Responsibilities

McKinney-Vento Liaison Handbook
Region 7's comprehensive field guide for carrying out the day-to-day responsibilities of a McKinney-Vento liaison.

McKinney-Vento Liaison Duties Checklist
A quick-reference checklist covering the core responsibilities of the local liaison.

New Liaison First 30 Days
A practical starting guide for newly appointed McKinney-Vento liaisons.

Annual McKinney-Vento Program Review
Helps liaisons review policies, procedures, identification practices, training, coordination, and student supports.

McKinney-Vento Staff Training Planner
Helps liaisons plan appropriate McKinney-Vento awareness and training for different groups of school staff.

Sample Handbook Statement

A customizable sample statement for LEAs to include in student, parent, or staff handbooks outlining McKinney-Vento eligibility, educational rights, and available supports.

Sample Procedures

A step-by-step guide for LEAs outlining the process from initial identification and referral of a student experiencing homelessness through eligibility, enrollment, transportation, services, documentation, and follow-up.

McKinney-Vento Data Documentation
Practical guidance for maintaining useful program records without creating unnecessary barriers for families.

Summer Checklist for McKinney-Vento Liaisons

Helps liaisons prepare for summer by reviewing student needs, school transitions, transportation, communication, records, and other responsibilities that may continue when the school year ends.

McKinney-Vento PowerPoint Presentation

Basic overview of the McKinney-Vento Act and LEA's responsibilities concerning homeless students.

McKinney-Vento Website Handbook

Guide to assist LEAs build an effective website for their homeless and foster programs.

PDE Website for Data

Website for liaisons and LEAs to enter homeless student data through the Allegheny Intermediate Unit.

Special Topics & Student Supports

McKinney-Vento Special Education Quick Reference
Guidance for supporting students experiencing homelessness who receive special education services and ensuring homelessness does not create additional barriers to services.

Quick Guide for Administrators

Document that discusses the expectations of administrators concerning McKinney-Vento

School Nurse Quick Reference Guide
Practical guidance for school nurses supporting students experiencing homelessness, including health-related barriers, records, communication, and referrals.

SAP Professionals Homelessness Guide
Helps Student Assistance Program professionals recognize housing instability and coordinate appropriate school and community supports.

Act 1 Graduation & Credits Quick Guide
Explains key Pennsylvania Act 1 protections involving credits, graduation requirements, and educational stability for eligible students.

Higher Education & FAFSA Quick Reference
Guidance on higher-education access and FAFSA provisions affecting unaccompanied homeless youth and students experiencing homelessness.

College Transition Checklist
A practical checklist to help students experiencing homelessness prepare for the transition from high school to college or other postsecondary education.

Title I & McKinney-Vento Collaboration Guide
Guidance for coordinating Title I and McKinney-Vento efforts to identify needs, remove barriers, and support students experiencing homelessness.

Title I Homeless Set-Aside: Allowable Expenses
A practical reference for understanding appropriate uses of Title I homeless set-aside funds to address educational barriers and student needs.

Private & Sensitive Information Quick Guide (FERPA)
Guidance for handling sensitive information about students and families experiencing homelessness with appropriate care and confidentiality.

Educational Outcomes Statistical Snapshot
Research-based statistics and findings illustrating how homelessness and housing instability can affect attendance, school stability, academic achievement, and educational outcomes.

McKinney-Vento Case Review Worksheet
A structured tool for reviewing complex student situations and considering eligibility, enrollment, school stability, services, and next steps.

Laws, Guidance and Disputes

McKinney-Vento Dispute Resolution Guide
Guidance for handling disputes involving eligibility, school selection, enrollment, or other McKinney-Vento rights while protecting the student's access to education.

NAEHCY FAQ

This document provides answers to frequently asked questions on the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and the education rights of children and youth in homeless situations

Procedural Safeguards Notice of Denial of Enrollment

To be completed by a school whenever an enrollment or school selection request of a student experiencing homelessness is denied.

McKinney-Vento Dispute Resolution Form
A practical form for documenting and communicating a McKinney-Vento dispute and the rights available to the parent, guardian, or unaccompanied youth.

Section 1302 & McKinney-Vento Quick Reference
Explains the distinction between Pennsylvania residency provisions and McKinney-Vento protections when a student is living with someone other than a parent or guardian.

Cyber Charter, Residency & Homelessness Quick Reference
Guidance for situations involving cyber charter enrollment, residency questions, and students experiencing homelessness.

ACT 47 and McKinney-Vento A practical Region 7 guide outlining Act 47 requirements for cyber charter schools and their interaction with McKinney-Vento protections, including residency, truancy, enrollment, and considerations in this developing area of law.

Crossing State Lines

Guidance for situations involving homeless families and crossing state lines.

School of Origin and Feeder Schools

Guidance for determining school of origin, including situations involving feeder schools and transitions between grade levels.

Surrogate Parents Quick Guide

Guidance on surrogate parent requirements and responsibilities for students experiencing homelessness who may need special education representation.

Act 67 and Residency Disputes

Quick guidance on Pennsylvania residency disputes, student enrollment protections, and situations where homelessness may affect residency requirements.

McKinney-Vento Act

Full text of the McKinney-Vento Act

PA Basic Education Circulars

Enrollment of Students BEC Pennsylvania guidance on student enrollment requirements, residency, required documentation, and protections for students experiencing homelessness.

Admission to Kindergarten and Beginners BEC Pennsylvania guidance regarding public school enrollment procedures for resident and non-resident children entering Kindergarten or beginning school at the lowest elementary grade beyond Kindergarten.

School Immunization Requirements BEC Pennsylvania guidance on school immunization requirements, including enrollment procedures when immunization records are incomplete or unavailable.

Act 1 of 2022 — Assisting Students Experiencing Education Instability BEC Pennsylvania guidance on Act 1 protections for students experiencing education instability, including credit transfer, graduation requirements, and designated Points of Contact.

Compulsory School Attendance BEC Pennsylvania guidance on compulsory attendance requirements, unlawful absences, truancy procedures, and school attendance improvement efforts.

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