Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH)
The Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH) program, authorized under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (McKinney-Vento Act), is designed to address the needs of homeless children and youths and ensure educational rights and protections for these children and youths.
"McKinney Vento Act"
"Homeless Youth Basic Education Circular"
Homeless children and youth lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. Included within the definition of homeless children and youth are those who:
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Share the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; are abandoned in hospitals;
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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;
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Are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings;
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Are “migratory children” who qualify as homeless under federal law because the children are living in circumstances described in clauses (i) through (iii) above. The term “migratory children” means children who are (or whose parent(s) or spouse(s) are) migratory agricultural workers, including migratory dairy workers or migratory fishermen, and who have moved from one school district to another in the preceding 36 months, in order to obtain (or accompany such parents or spouses in order to obtain) temporary or seasonal employment in agricultural or fishing work; and
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Are unaccompanied homeless youth including any child who is “not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian.” Falling within this definition are those students who ran away from home, been thrown out of their home, or been abandoned or separated from their parents or guardian.
Homeless youth are entitled to immediate enrollments, and their families are not required to prove residency regarding school enrollment. Unaccompanied homeless youth may enroll without documents and without the help of an adult. These students are considered residents of the district where they are presently residing; however, they can continue their education in the district of prior attendance. Transportation to either the district of residence or the district of origin will be provided.
Questions about these services should be directed to Rebekah Myers, LCSW, at 717-632-2548 ext. 20005 or [email protected]. Questions can also be directed to Sonia Pitzi, ECYEH Program/Regional Coordinator, at [email protected] or 717-718-5924.