BERKS COALITION TO END HOMELESSNESS

BCIU - ECYEH INFORMATION

EDUCATION FOR HOMELESS YOUTHS

FAMILY PROMISE OF BERKS COUNTY

FINDING YOUR WAY IN PA

MCKINNEY-VENTO ACT

Homeless student procedures

  • A student is identified by a staff member and appears to meet the McKinney Vento criteria as a homeless status student.
  • Staff member contacts the student's school counselor to inform them.
  • School counselor will complete ECYEH intake form or contact homeless liaisons to contact the parent/guardian to complete the form.
  • ECYEH intake form will be submitted to district homeless liaison for approval. Re-determination will occur each school year.
  • Family will be entered into ECYEH site and updated on Skyward. Family will be offered services, resources and transportation.

Each year, we work with approximately 50 students who are experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. Under the Pennsylvania Education for Homeless Children and Youth State Plan, homeless children are defined as:

  • Children living with a parent in a domestic violence shelter
  • Runaway children and children and youth who have been abandoned or forced out of their home by parents or other caretakers
  • School-aged parents living in houses for school-aged parents if they have no other available living accommodations

The McKinney-Vento Act states that it is the policy of Congress that state educational agencies shall ensure that each child of a homeless individual and each homeless youth has equal access to the same free, appropriate public education--including a public preschool education--as provided to other children and youths.

If you meet the above criteria in the McKinney-Vento Act or if you are at risk of becoming homeless in the immediate future, please contact the Pupil Services Department at 610-779-0700 or email a member of our Pupil Services team below for help and assistance.

Director of Pupil Services
Dawn Harris
Homeless Student Liason
School Social Worker
Ashley Rinehart
Homeless & Foster Care Contact
Pupil Services Secretary
Kathy Kardoley
Homeless Transportation