HOMELESS RESOURCES

Homeless Families: McKinney-Vento Act Information

BCMCS Homeless Liaison

Mr. Tony Stango, C.E.O.

215-428-6700 ext 4403

Pennsylvania's Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program was established to make sure homeless youth have access to a free and appropriate public education while removing barriers that homeless children face. Its goal is to have the educational process continue as uninterrupted as possible while the children are in homeless situations. If you are experiencing a housing crisis, contact our Homeless Liaison for confidential consultation.

The McKinney-Vento Act defines homeless children and youth as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This definition also includes:

Children and youth who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason.
Children and youth who may be living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, shelters.
Children and youth who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.
Children and youth who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings, or
Migratory children, who qualify as homeless because they are children who are living in similar circumstances listed above.
Doubled up with other people due to loss of housing or economic hardship.

It cannot be emphasized enough that determining whether a particular child or youth fits the definition is a case-specific inquiry. General answers based on incomplete information or hypothetical situations will often be incorrect. Therefore, we utilize a Student Residency Questionnaire as part of our registration process.

School Enrollment

In accordance with the McKinney-Vento Action, our host district, the Pennsbury School District, as well as all other districts serviced in the area will immediately enroll a homeless child or unaccompanied youth in school, even if the child or youth lacks records normally required for enrollment, such as previous academic records, medical records, proof of residency or other documentation. For more information, please contact our homeless liaison, Tony Stango, at (215) 428-6700 ext. 4403.

Basic Education Circular

This Basic Education Circular (BEC) explains the categories of children who are "homeless" and entitled to the protections of the federal law.

In 1987, Congress passed the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, (subsequently renamed the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act) to aid homeless persons. The Act defines the term "homeless children and youths" as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. The Act explicitly includes within the definition of "homeless children and youths" those who are "awaiting foster care placement."

Please reference the Pennsylvania State Basic Education Circular (BEC) regarding the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. The BEC outlines the scholar/parent's rights as well as the school procedures in order to better support youth experiencing Homelessness.

Following are additional resources available for students, parents and staff. Feel free to also contact the school's liaison with any questions you may have or support you may need.

HOMELESS INFORMATION & RESOURCES:

BCMCS HOMELESS POLICIES & INFORMATION

LOCAL HOMELESS HELP & RESOURCES

STAFF EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES