Mckinney Vento

Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness

The Shikellamy School District is committed to ensuring that all students have access to a free, appropriate public education, regardless of their housing situation. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law designed to remove barriers that children and youth experiencing homelessness may face when enrolling in, attending, and succeeding in school.

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Program, authorized under Title VII-B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and most recently reauthorized through the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), ensures that students experiencing homelessness have equal access to educational opportunities and services. Schools are required to identify eligible students, provide support, and ensure that housing instability does not prevent students from receiving the education and services they need.

Definition of Homelessness

Under the McKinney-Vento Act, a child or youth is considered homeless if they lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This may include students who are:

• Living temporarily with others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar circumstances (“doubled up”)
• Living in hotels, motels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of adequate alternative housing
• Living in emergency or transitional shelters
• Living in public or private places not designed for regular human habitation
• Living in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, bus or train stations, or similar locations
• Migratory children living in any of the circumstances listed above
• Unaccompanied youth who meet the definition of homelessness and are not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian

Educational Rights of Students Experiencing Homelessness

Students who qualify under the McKinney-Vento Act have the right to:

• Immediate enrollment in school, even if required documents are unavailable at the time of enrollment
• Attend the school they previously attended or the school serving the area where they are currently living, when appropriate
• Receive transportation assistance to and from school when applicable
• Access free meals, textbooks, school supplies, Title I services, and other educational programs and supports
• Participate fully in classes, activities, athletics, field trips, and school programs without being separated or treated differently because of their housing situation

Support Provided by the Shikellamy School District

When a student is identified as eligible for McKinney-Vento services, the district will provide support including:

• Assistance with school enrollment and transition
• Monitoring of school attendance and academic progress
• Transportation coordination for eligible PreK–8 students
• School supplies and other educational materials as needed
• Advocacy and support for students and families through communication, school visits, and home visits when appropriate
• Assistance connecting families with community resources
• Support accessing tutoring, special education services, and English language learner resources
• Assistance ensuring students can participate in athletics, field trips, and school activities regardless of financial circumstances or transportation barriers

The Shikellamy School District’s goal is to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed in school and that temporary housing challenges do not become barriers to learning.

For additional information or assistance, please contact the district’s McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison:

Lew Dellegrotti
Phone: 570-286-3702 ext. 2372