A Question and Answer Overview of the Past Year (2008)
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1. Q: How many homeless children and youth are estimated to exist in Pennsylvania?
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A: Approx: 30,000 (ages birth to 18)
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2. Q: How many McKinney-Vento federal homeless sites are there?
A: 8 Regional Sites
3. Q: How many school districts are linked to these sites?
A: All 501 school districts in the Commonwealth.
4. Q: How many homeless children and youth were served in this 2006-2007
time period?
A: 10,049 school aged children and 2,907 preschoolers (ages 3 and 4), for
a total of 12,956.
5. Q: What is the breakdown for elementary, middle, and high school?
A: 50% elementary, 26% middle school, 24% high school.
6. Q: Where does Pennsylvania rank nationwide regarding most homeless
children and youth in shelter?
A: 6th (behind California, Florida, Michigan, New York and Texas) - 17,000
documented homeless children in shelter from state census.
7. Q: What top 3 reasons caused delays in school enrollment?
A: (1) Parent reluctance to enroll
(2) Special education placement
(3) Transportation set-up
8. Q: What were the 5 most frequent requests for direct services?
A: (1) Transportation assistance
(2) Enrollment assistance
(3) School supplies/fees
(4) Agency referrals
(5) School Clothing/Uniforms/Shoes
9. Q: What are the key strategies used by McKinney-Vento Site Coordinators in
overcoming educational barriers?
A: - Using the reauthorized McKinney-Vento Homeless Act mandates
- Site Coordinator granted authority to determine "residency" status for
school enrollment
- Grants sought and received to purchase school uniforms
- Knowing the current and most valuable resources
- Utilizing and educating local School District Homeless Liaisons
- Working with a Local Homeless Task Force
- Providing a family a letter stating their homeless status, address and
that the Site Coordinator can be called for questions
- Firming up the enrollment process for doubled up families
10. Q: What 10 main trends were observed?
A: - more preschoolers (3 and 4) identified
- homeless families don't identify themselves as such when enrolling
- younger parent(s) with more kids
- more requests to find permanent housing
- longer shelter waiting lists
- longer shelter stays and less turnover
- more infants/toddlers
- increase in doubled up population
- more community/school donations and volunteerism
- better school district awareness of homeless policies
For publications please contact the Center for Schools and Communities website at: http://homeless.center-school.org (Them click on Resources) or call
Karen Beitzel at 717-763-1661, extension 166
For additional information on Pennsylvania's Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program, please contact:
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Division of Student Services
Pennsylvania's Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program
333 Market Street, 5th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333
Voice (717) 783-6466
TTY (717) 783-8445
