Homeless

In 1987, Congress passed the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, (subsequently renamed the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act) to aid homeless persons.  The Act defines the term “homeless children and youths” as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.

A student may qualify for certain rights and protections under the federal McKinney-Vento Act if he/she is living in any of the following situations:

•       a shelter
•       a motel or campground due to the lack of an alternative adequate accommodation
•       a car, park, or abandoned building
•       doubled up with other people due to loss of housing or economic hardship

Eligible students have the right to:

•       Receive a free, appropriate public education.
•       Enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documents normally required for enrollment.
•       Enroll in the local school or continue attending the school of origin.
•       Receive transportation to and from the school of origin.
•       Receive educational services comparable to those provided to other students.

Please contact Kurt Nyquist, Director of Student Support Services at 814-422-2000 ext. 2536 or by emailing [email protected] with questions or to find out what services and supports may be available.