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Students Experiencing Homelessness

Education for Students Experiencing Homelessness

The York County School of Technology is committed to removing barriers for all students facing challenges.  We want to ensure that all students have access to a strong educational program.  Information below is to assist students who are currently experiencing homelessness.  The legal definition of homeless children and youth along with students’ rights are listed below.

Should you have any questions related to homeless children and youth please contact Mr. Gerry Mentz, Director of Student Services, at (717)-801-2944 x 5108 or by email at [email protected].

 

The McKinney-Vento Act: Who is Homeless?

The term “homeless children and youth”:

  • Means individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence and includes:

    • Children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks or camping grounds due to the lack of alternate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; are abandoned in hospitals;

    • Children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings;

    • Children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations or similar settings;

    • Migratory children who qualify as homeless

 

A Student’s Rights

  • The right to immediate enrollment in school, even if lacking paperwork normally required.

  • The right to attend school in his/her school of origin (if this is requested by the parent and is feasible) or in the school in the attendance area where the family or youth is currently residing.

  • The right to receive transportation to his/her school of origin, if this is requested by the parent.

  • The right to services comparable to those received by housed schoolmates, including transportation and supplemental educational services.

  • The right to attend school along with children not experiencing homelessness. Segregation based on a student’s status as homeless is strictly prohibited.

 

Additional Resources