Homeless Youth Education

Northeastern York School District is committed to removing barriers for all students facing challenges.  We want to ensure that all students have access to a strong educational program. And are committed to ensuring that ALL children and youth experiencing homelessness have an opportunity to participate and succeed in our schools.  

The following information will provide students and families with the legal definition of “homeless children and youth”, an overview of student’s rights, and access to additional resources.

Please do not hesitate to contact Northeastern’s Homeless Liaison, Mr. Jefferson Clifton, with any questions or concerns or for additional assistance with your child’s educational needs.  Mr. Clifton may be reached via email cliftonj@nebobcats.org or by phone at (717)266-6570.

The McKinney-Vento Act:  Who is Homeless?

The term “homeless children and youth”:

• • Means individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence and include:

  • Children and youths who are sharing the housing of other people due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks or camping grounds due to the lack of alternate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; are abandoned in hospitals;

  • Children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as regular sleeping accommodation for human beings;

  • Children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations or similar settings;

  • Migratory children who qualify as homeless for the purposes of this subtitle because the children are living in circumstances described in the previous sections.

A Student’s Rights

• The right to immediate enrollment in school, even if lacking the paperwork is normally required.

• The right to attend school in his/her school of origin (if this is requested by the parent and is feasible) or in the school in the attendance area where the family or youth is currently residing.

• The right to receive transportation to his/her school of origin, if this is requested by the parent.

• The right to services comparable to those received by housed schoolmates, including transportation and supplemental educational services.

• The right to attend school along with children not experiencing homelessness. Segregation based on a student’s status as homeless is strictly prohibited.

Additional Resources:

• Click here to read the household letter.

• National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth - https://naehcy.org

• PDE Homeless Education - https://www.education.pa.gov/K-12/Homeless%20Education/Pages/default.aspx

•  McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act - https://nche.ed.gov/mckinney-vento/

• Lincoln Intermediate Unit 12 ECYEH - https://www.iu12.org/domain/154

• Education for Children & Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH) Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ECYEHPA

• Education for Children & Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH) Brochure - https://bit.ly/2Xc4BBa

• Education for Students Experiencing Homelessness Basic Education Circular (BEC) https://bit.ly/2VMm9nk

• Homeless Shelter Directory for York County - https://yorkcountypa.gov/basic-needs/emergency-shelter.html

• Community Progress Council - Housing, Education, Financial Case Management, Head Start - http://yorkcpc.org/

• The Next Door Program - Bell Socialization Services - Low Income Housing Assistance - https://bit.ly/2Gt0ziw

• Free and Reduced Meal Application FAQs - https://bit.ly/2v9c2wY

• Additional resources can be found here