District Programs / Homeless Children & Youth
The Rights of Homeless Children & Youth Include:
- Continuing their education in their current school, and provide transportation to that school, (if feasible);
- Immediate enrollment in the school district where they are temporarily housed;
- Assistance with obtaining school records;
- Participation in all applicable school programs, including supplementary instructional programs, field trips, and other enrichment activities as well as after-school recreational programs, etc;
- Assistance with school-related expenses, such as: supplies, clothing, uniforms, meals, etc.
Homeless Children and Youth May be Found Living in the Following Places or Situations:
Public or private shelters;
- With a parent in a domestic violence shelter;
- Transitional housing program;
- Public or Private places not designated for, or ordinarily used as regular sleeping accommodations such as; vehicles, parks, hotels/motels, campgrounds, etc.;
Individuals and/or families staying with relatives or friends due to lack of housing; - Runaways, (under 18 years of age), and children or youth who have been abandoned or forced out of their homes by parents or other caretakers. These children may be in temporary shelters awaiting assistance from social service agencies, live alone on the street or may be moving from place to place among family members, friends or acquaintances;
- Abandoned in hospitals or awaiting foster care; or,
- Children of migrant families who lack adequate housing.
The Pennsylvania Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program (PA ECYEH Program), assures execution of the federal legislation, McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1988; also incorporated into the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act. Implementation of this program ensures that homeless children and youth have equal access to the same, free, appropriate, public education; including preschool education, as provided to other children and youth.
Some of the main objectives of the PA ECYEH Program are to inform local school districts of their responsibilities to homeless children and youth, to increase awareness about the needs of homeless children , reveal and overcome possible educational barriers, explain current legislation and policies, and provide practical tips for working with homeless children.
Each school district in the United States has a designated Homeless Liaison. This person is responsible for assuring that each homeless child or youth receives all the services guaranteed by federal law.
Some of the main objectives of the PA ECYEH Program are to inform local school districts of their responsibilities to homeless children and youth, to increase awareness about the needs of homeless children , reveal and overcome possible educational barriers, explain current legislation and policies, and provide practical tips for working with homeless children.
Each school district in the United States has a designated Homeless Liaison. This person is responsible for assuring that each homeless child or youth receives all the services guaranteed by federal law.
Purchase Line School District Homeless Liaison
Mrs. Jessica Lindsay
Phone: (724) 254-4312 ext. 4012
Email Mrs. Lindsay
Mrs. Jessica Lindsay
Phone: (724) 254-4312 ext. 4012
Email Mrs. Lindsay
Homeless Liaison Secretary
Melissa Oaks
Phone: (724) 254-4312 ext. 4024
Email Mrs. Oaks
In addition, Pennsylvania is served by eight regional PA ECYEH Programs that cover all counties and school districts in the state.
For additional information you may also contact:
Regional Coordinator
Sarah Schroth
Phone (724) 463-5300 ext 1203
Email: [email protected]