Education of Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness

The main objective of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvement Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-110, Subtitle B) is to make sure homeless youth have access to appropriate education while removing barriers that homeless children face.  Its goal is to minimize interruptions to the education of homeless youth.

The Abington Heights School District is committed to working collaboratively with families and local agencies to support homeless youth in our school community. Under the McKinney-Vento Act homeless is defined as lacking fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. You may be eligible for services if your family lives:

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

If you believe you fall into the category of children in youth experiencing homelessness or know of someone who is, please contact the Abington Heights homeless liaison:

Karen Dougher Abington Heights School District 200 E. Grove St. Clarks Summit, PA 18411 (570) 585-8276 dougherk@ahsd.org

The Regional Coordinator for Education of Children & Youth Experiencing Homelessness:

Mr. Jeff Zimmerman 368 Tioga Ave. Kingston, PA 18704 (570) 718-4613 jzimmerman@liu18.org

Rights of Homeless Students

Under the McKinney-Vento Act homeless students have certain rights including the following:

  • Attend their school of origin or school of current residence
  • Remain in their chosen school for the duration of homelessness or the remainder of the academic year if they become permanently housed during an academic year
  • Immediate enrollment
  • Transportation to the school of choice
  • Immediate access to educational services for which the student is eligible (e.g. Title I, special education, before- and after-school programs, vocational and

technical education or gifted and talented programs).

  • Free meals provided by the district through federal, state or local food programs
  • Appeal educational placement decisions made by the district and remain the school of choice pending resolution.