Homeless Services
Mckinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act
The Pottsville Area School District recognizes its obligation to ensure that homeless students have access to the same educational programs and services provided to other district students. The district shall make reasonable efforts to identify homeless children within the district, encourage their enrollment, and eliminate existing barriers to their attendance and education, in compliance with federal and state law and regulations.
Homeless students are defined as individuals lacking a fixed, regular and nighttime residence, which include students living under the following conditions:
Students shall not be discriminated against, segregated nor stigmatized based on their status as homeless.
When a student is claiming or thought to be homeless, their name and contact information should be directed to the PASD Homeless Liaison.
Should you have any questions, you can contact the PASD Homeless Liaison, Mr. Patrick Brennan or 570-622-3264.
Mckinney-Vento eligible students have the right to:
- Stay in the same school or transfer to the school where they live.
- Immediate school enrollment, even without required documentation (such as birth certificate).
- Transportation to and from school and school-sponsored extracurriculars.
- Participate in all school programs, including supplemental services and special education.
- Access and receive services from Early Head Start and Head Start programs, Early Intervention services under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and other preschool programs run by the school.
- Free Breakfast and Lunch.
- Assistance with school-related expenses such as supplies, clothing/uniforms, etc
- Assistance with college planning.
- Referrals to community agencies or other resources.
- Dispute McKinney-Vento eligibility or school selection determinations to Pennsylvania's Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH) Program.
Unaccompanied youth are students living in one of the temporary situations listed above and are not living with a parent or legal guardian. Unaccompanied youth are eligible for additional rights under the McKinney-Vento Act as well as those listed above, including the right to:
- Enroll and participate in school without a parent or guardian.
- Receive assistance with moving on to the next grade or reaching graduation.
- Assistance with applying for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as an independent student without parental income information.
McKinney-Vento Liaison Contact information
Every public school in the United States has a designated McKinney-Vento liaison to identify and support all eligible students.
If you family is currently displaced/living in a McKinney-Vento eligible situation, contact the Pottsville Area School District liaison or the ECYEH Region 2 Office for further assistance and resources:
Liaison Name: Patrick Brennan
Email: pbrennan@pottsville.k12.pa.us
Phone: 570-622-3264
ECYEH Region 2 Office: 610-987-8509