Pennsylvania's Homeless Children's Initiative
On July 22, 1987, the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act became public law. This was the first comprehensive federal law dealing with the problems of homelessness in America. Recently included in the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act, it is now call the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001. (Public Law 107-110. Subtitle B.)
The main purpose of the Pennsylvania Homeless Children’s Initiative is to make sure homeless youth have access to appropriate education while removing barriers that homeless children face. Its goal is to have the educational process continue as uninterrupted as possible while the children are in homeless situations.
Some of the other main objectives of the Homeless Children’s Initiative are to inform local school districts of their responsibilities to homeless children and youth, to increase awareness about the needs of homeless children, explain current legislation and policies, and provide practical tips for working with homeless children.
Pennsylvania’s Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program is meeting its aim to minimize the impact of homelessness on education. By keeping children in their school of origin when possible and coordinating educational services, it is helping students experiencing homelessness access all of the benefits of an educational system other resident students often take for granted.
Pennsylvania Homeless Children’s Initiative (PAHCI) Directory
Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Request for Application (word)
Applicants Program Design/Plan of Action (word)
National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) McKinney-Vento Online Resources
NCHE has three trainining videos available:
- Providing Equal Access: Enrolling Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness
- Homeless With Homework: An Introduction to Homeless Education
- Homeless Education and Title I: Collaboration and Compliance
Also available is a Homeless Education Liaison Toolkit and McKinney-Vento Issue Briefs discussing selected issues pertaining to the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.
For publications please contact the Center for Schools and Communities website at: http://homeless.center-school.org (then click on Resources) or call Karen Beitzel at 717-763-1661 extension 166.
