The Pennsylvania Homeless Children’s Initiative is the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s response to The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act of 2001 (Sections 721-726-P.L. 107-110 NCLB). The key mandate of the law is to ensure that homeless and unaccompanied youth have continued access to free, appropriate education on an equal basis as other children.

The McKinney-Vento Act defines homelessness for students as lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This includes children and youth who are living in places like cars, parks, abandoned buildings, or shelters; staying in motels or trailer parks due to economic hardship; or sharing housing with others because they lost their home or have a similar reason. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Key aspects of the definition:

• "Fixed, regular, and adequate": These are the core criteria to determine if a residence is not suitable for a child or youth.

• "Sharing housing": Sharing housing due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar situation is considered homelessness.

• "Not ordinarily used as a sleeping accommodation": Living in places not designed for people to sleep, such as cars, buses, trains, parks, or public spaces, qualifies as homelessness.

• "Substandard housing": Living in a home that is unsafe or lacks basic utilities can also be considered homelessness. [

Who is covered:

• Children and youth who are homeless.

• Unaccompanied homeless youth, who are not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian.

• Migratory children who are living in circumstances described in the Act's definition.

Dispute Resolution Program

https://www.pa.gov/agencies/ogc/services-provided-to-agencies-home/mediation-home

BASD School Board Policy #251

Active Policies - BoardDocs® PL

Education for Homeless Youth - Basic Education Circular (BEC)

https://www.pa.gov/agencies/education/resources/policies-acts-and-laws/basic-education-circulars-becs/us-code/education-for-homeless-youth

Every Student Succeeds Act McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/1177/text

If you are aware of any children in the district who may possibly fit the above criteria, please contact your school’s counselor, teacher, or principal. One may also contact the Bradford Area School District’s homeless liaison, Sarah Tingley at 368-3183 or via email.

Services and support is available for these students.