Homeless
Education for Homeless Youth
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.
Housing Assistance Available Locally
Housing Transitions – 814-237-4863
Housing Transitions – 814-237-4863
Centre County Housing Case Manager – 814-237-1944
Centre County Women's Resource Center – 814-234-5222
Centre County Youth Service Bureau – 814-237-5731
Centre County Women's Resource Center – 814-234-5222
Centre County Youth Service Bureau – 814-237-5731
- Stepping Stone-ages 16-20 with no other living arrangements
Burrowes Street Youth Haven – 814-234-2100
- 21-day therapeutic living including intensive reunification efforts with family
Stormbreak – 814-234-2100
- Dependent or delinquent females ages 11-17
For more information: Pennsylvania Department of Education: www.pde.state.pa.us/homeless - click on Homeless Education in left column