Children & Youth Experiencing Homelessness and Educational Instability

Ephrata Area School District supports the education of children and youth experiencing homelessness youth as required by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act which defines children and youth experiencing homelessness to mean individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence and those who are awaiting foster care placement.

Who is considered homeless?
Children or youth and their families living in a shelter, transitional housing, motel, vehicle, campground, on the street, or doubled up with relatives or friends due to a lack of housing are considered to be homeless.

Does residency have to be proven?
No, because families experiencing homelessness are unable to establish a “home” on a permanent basis, a school cannot require proof of residency that might prevent or delay the enrollment of school-age children.

What choice of schools do homeless students have?
In determining the best interest of the child or youth under McKinney-Vento Act, the LEA shall:

  • Continue the child’s or youth’s education in the school of origin for the duration of homelessness when a family becomes homeless between academic years or during an academic year; and for the remainder of the academic year even if the child or youth becomes permanently housed during an academic year, or

  • Enroll the child or youth in any public school that non-homeless students who live in the attendance area in which the child or youth is actually living are eligible to attend.

Is there any reason to delay enrolling a homeless child?
No. The school selected shall immediately enroll the child/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. The terms “enroll” and “enrollment” are defined to include attending classes and participating fully in school activities. The enrolling school must immediately contact the last school attended to obtain relevant academic and other records. Immunization records can be transferred over the phone from the school nurse of the sending school to the school nurse of the receiving school.

Who to contact for assistance?
The Homeless Children’s Initiative exists to help children and youth homelessness with a wide variety of services. We can assist during this time of change and stress. If you are homeless with school-age children or you are a school, agency, or shelter employee, please contact one of the following resources listed below.

Additionally our Regional Office for Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH) / Educational Stability for Foster Care Youth can be contacted at (610) 987-8509.

Districtwide Homeless Liaison

Jacy Clugston Hess

Dr. Jacy Clugston Hess
Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education

717-721-1400
Jacy_Hess@easdpa.org

K - Grade 4 Home & School Visitor

Ann Lavelle

Ann Lavelle
Elementary Social Worker (HSV)

717-721-1160
A_Lavelle@easdpa.org

Grades 5 - 8 Home & School Visitor

Jennifer Lugar

Jennifer Lugar
EIS/EMS Social Worker (HSV)

717-721-1468
J_Lugar@easdpa.org

Grades 9-12 Home & School Visitor

Francie Wiker

Francie Wiker
EHS Social Worker (HSV)

717-721-1478
F_Wiker@easdpa.org

Homeless Student Resources (McKinney-Vento Act 42)
The Ephrata Area School District believes that homeless youth should have access to free and appropriate public education and wishes to limit the barriers that homeless children may face. Our goal is to have the educational process continue as uninterrupted as possible while children are in homeless situations.

Homeless students are defined as individuals lacking a fixed, regular and nighttime residence, which include students living under the conditions listed below.  Unaccompanied youth are homeless students that are not residing with a parent or legal guardian. 

  • Sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing or economic hardship.

  • Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks or camping grounds due to lack of adequate alternative accommodations.

  • Living in emergency, transitional or domestic violence shelters.

  • Abandoned in hospitals.

  • Living in public or private places not designated for or ordinarily used as regular sleeping accommodations for human beings.

  • Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, transportation stations or similar settings.

  • Couch surfing with friends or relatives.

  • Living as migratory children in conditions described in previous examples.

  • Living as run-away children.

  • Being abandoned or forced out of homes by parents/guardians or caretakers.

  • Living as school age unwed mothers in houses for unwed mothers if they have no other living accommodations.

As an eligible student you have the right to:

  • Receive a free, appropriate public education.

  • Enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documentation normally required for enrollment

  • Enroll in school and attend classes while the school gathers needed documents.

  • Enroll in the local school or continue attending your school of origin (the school you attended when permanently housed or the school in which you were last enrolled), if that is your preference and feasible.

  • If the school district believes that they school selected is not in your best interest, the district must provide you with a written explanation of its position and inform you of your rights to appeal its decision.

  • Receive transportation to and from the school of origin, if you request this.

  • Receive education services comparable to those provided to other students, according to your needs as a student.

Unaccompanied youth receive the same rights and supports as listed, plus:

  • Ability to enroll in school without a parent or guardian.

  • Assistance with moving on to the next grade or reaching graduation.

  • Assistance with college planning and applying for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as an Independent student without their parent's income information.

Educational Rights

Additional McKinney-Vento Information

Forms/Information

Ephrata Area School District Guidance Departments

Local Need-Based Services & Resources