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Federal Programs » Marion Center School District Homeless Liaison

Marion Center School District Homeless Liaison

Dear Parents/Guardians:

In compliance with the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, as reauthorized in 2015 by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the Marion Center Area School District is attempting to identify all children within the district who may be experiencing homelessness.
The term homeless children and youth is defined as individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence. This includes individuals:
  • Sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason;
  • Living in a motel, hotel, trailer park or campground due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations;
  • Living in emergency or transitional shelters;
  • Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, bus or train stations or similar settings;
  • Living in substandard housing (no running water or working utilities, infestations, etc.). 
  • Migratory children living in any of the situations described above
  • School-aged parents living in housing for school-aged parents with no other available living accommodations
A homeless student shall continue to be enrolled in his or her school of origin while he or she remains homeless or until the end of the academic year in which he or she obtains permanent housing.  If a parent decides to send their child(ren) to the school in which they are residing, the children must be enrolled immediately.  The district of origin is responsible for providing transportation to the school they choose. 
Children who are experiencing homelessness may qualify for assistance with free school lunch, school supplies/materials, tutoring and transportation so that they can remain in their school of origin throughout the duration of their homeless episode.  Students experiencing homelessness have the right to immediate enrollment even if records, proof of residency, or immunizations are not available. Students have the right to participate fully in all academic programs, extracurricular activities, and services available to other students and to be treated with dignity and without discrimination. Student information related to homelessness is kept confidential.
An unaccompanied youth is a student experiencing homelessness who is not living with a parent or legal guardian. Unaccompanied youth have the right to enroll in school immediately, attend school while enrollment or placement disputes are being resolved, receive transportation and school services, and receive support from the district’s Homeless Liaison.
The Homeless Liaison will work with families to link them to community agencies and resources to meet the needs of the child and their family. The Homeless Liaison is also responsible for identifying students experiencing homelessness, explaining student and family rights, assisting with enrollment and transportation, supporting unaccompanied youth, and coordinating services with school staff and community agencies. The School Nurse will work with families to support appropriate healthcare/dental services.  Children who are experiencing homelessness will have the same opportunities as all students within the district.  Families will have equal opportunity to access parent involvement activities and initiatives.  
 
If there is a disagreement regarding homeless status, school selection, enrollment, or services, the student will be enrolled immediately in the requested school while the issue is reviewed. Families and unaccompanied youth have the right to receive a written explanation of decisions and to appeal those decisions through the dispute resolution process.
 
If you believe your child(ren) may qualify for this service, please contact Amy Gaston, Director of Education/Homeless Liaison at 724-397-5551 Ext. 5408. If your living situation changes during the school year, and you and your children become homeless, please be sure to contact the school. We will work with you so that your child(ren)’s education is disrupted as little as possible.
 
Additional information is available in the Basic Education Circular (BEC), Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness, and Board Policy #251, Students Experiencing Homelessness, Foster Care, and Other Educational Instability, both available on the district website.
 
 
Amy Gaston
Director of Education
Marion Center Area School District
724-397-5551 Ext. 5413

 

For more information on Students experiencing homelessness, click on the link below for a general guide on Knowing Your Options:

A General Guide to Pennsylvania’s Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH) Program

School Board Policy #251: https://www.boarddocs.com/pa/mari/Board.nsf/Public#

Click on the link below for the McKinney-Vento National Center for Homeless Education..
 
 
McKinney-Vento Act
For food pantry locations, click the link below: 
 
https://iccap.net/pantry-locations/

For additional assistance, please check out the following links :

 

Indiana Country Community Action Program-  https://iccap.net/ 

 

Indiana County Department of Human Services - www.humanservices-countyofindiana.org/directory.php 

 

Alice Paul House - https://alicepaulhouse.org/ 

 

Indiana County United Way:  https://uwindianacounty.org/ 

FINDING YOUR WAY in PA mobile/desktop app

 

Finding Your Way in PA is a Pennsylvania-based mobile and desktop app designed to share services, resources, and information with young people and families, particularly those experiencing homelessness. While using the app, users can search for and request assistance with services and resources in their current location, local communities, and throughout PA to connect them with helpful support.

The Finding Your Way in PA app is supported through the American Rescue Plan Homeless Children and Youth (ARP-HCY) Program. This program provides homeless children and youth with wrap-around services and enables homeless children and youth to attend school and fully participate in school activities. The Finding Your Way in PA app supports educational stability and strives to foster positive educational outcomes so that students and families experiencing housing instability can succeed in school, work, and life." 

 

Click on the link below to add the app to your phone:

https://findingyourwayinpa.com/

Financial Aid for Youth who are homeless-FAFSA.  

 

Click on the link below for more information about FAFSA.

Scholarships available:  https://schoolhouseconnection.org/program/scholarship

https://schoolhouseconnection.org/financial-aid-for-unaccompanied-homeless-youth/