The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ensures that children and youth experiencing homelessness have equal access to the same free, appropriate public education as other children and youth.
Definition of Homelessness:
Under the McKinney-Vento Act, “homeless children and youth” are individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This includes children and youth who:
- Share housing with others due to loss of housing or economic hardship (“doubled up”)
- Live in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to lack of alternative accommodations
- Live in emergency or transitional shelters
- Live in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, or similar settings
Rights of Students Experiencing Homelessness
Students who are experiencing homelessness have the right to:
- Immediate enrollment in school, even if required documents (such as proof of residency, immunizations, or school records) are not immediately available.
- Transportation to and from their school of origin, if requested.
- Access to free school meals and participation in all programs and services available to other students, including Title I, special education, and extracurricular activities.
- Educational stability and the right to remain in the school of origin when it is in the student’s best interest.
Dispute resolution, if there are disagreements about eligibility, school selection, or enrollment.
- Tell us you disagree.
- Your child stays in school right away—in the school you choose—while we review the concern.
- We give you a written explanation of the decision and your rights.
- The Homeless Liaison helps you through the process.
- If you’re still not satisfied, you can appeal to the state.
Unaccompanied Youth Definition and Rights
An unaccompanied youth is a child or youth who is not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian and meets the McKinney-Vento definition of homelessness.
Unaccompanied youth have the same rights to immediate enrollment, transportation, and educational stability as other students experiencing homelessness.
District Policy and State Guidance
- East Penn School District Board Policy 251 – Homeless Students
- Pennsylvania Department of Education Basic Education Circular (BEC): Education for Homeless Youth
Local Contact Information
East Penn School District McKinney-Vento / Homeless Liaison
Daniel M. Brown
Homeschool Visitor & McKinney-Vento Liaison
484-221-0250
dmbrown@eastpennsd.org
East Penn School District
800 Pine Street, Emmaus, PA 18049
If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness or housing instability, please contact Daniel Brown for assistance and support.
Regional Contact (Region 8 – Bucks County Intermediate Unit)
Michelle Connor
Regional Coordinator for Education of Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness – Region 8
Bucks County Intermediate Unit
215-348-2940 Ext 1361
MConner@buckscountyIU.org
ECYEH – Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness