Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness

What is the McKinney Vento Act? The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvement Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-110, Subtitle B) was enacted to make sure homeless youth have access to appropriate education while removing barriers that homeless children face.  The Act defines the term “homeless children and youths” as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. Its goal is to minimize interruptions to the education of homeless youth and remove any barriers to school enrollment, education, nutrition, transportation, and participation in extra curricular activities. CCTI is committed to working collaboratively with families and local agencies to support homeless youth in our school community.

The Rights of a Student Experiencing Homelessness – THE RIGHTS OF STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS

For more information and resources regarding Homelessness and Unaccompanied Youth, please visit the following websites:

PDE Homeless Website- https://www.education.pa.gov/K-12/Homeless%20Education/Pages/default.aspx#tab-1
The Carbon County Local Food Pantry: https://cccfoundpa.org/feeding-our-neighbors-fund/ 
The Second Harvest Food Bank website under “Find Food”:  https://shfblv.org/find-food/
Homeless Education – Homeless Education Information
Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness- https://ecyeh.center-school.org/

CCTI’s Homeless Liaison Contact Information & Role/Responsibilities

CCTI_Homeless Liaison Position Responsibilities_2026
McKinney-Vento Liaison Duties

Carbon County’s Homeless Regional Coordinator’s Services
Regional Contact Information
Jeff Zimmerman,  Regional Coordinator
Luzerne Intermediate Unit 18
(570) 718-4613
(570) 301-4990 cell
jzimmerman@liu18.org

Helpful Educational and Support Links

• CCTI’s Policy 251: Homeless & Unaccompanied Youth – CCTIs_Policy_251_Homeless-Students
• McKinney Vento Basic Education Circular (BEC) – CCTI_McKinneyVento_PA_BasicEducationCircular_BEC
• Education for Homeless Children and Youth-http://p2cdn4static.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_890754/File/ECYEH%20General%20Guide%20(1).pdf
• Rights of Children Experiencing Homelessness- CCTI_ecyeh_students_Rights_experiencing_homelessness
• National Center for Homeless Education-  https://nche.ed.gov/
• Pennsylvania’s Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program- https://ecyeh.center-school.org/
• Annual Mandatory Training presentation- Teacher presentation (20-21)_Annual_McKinneyVentoTraining
• Mental Health Support Services- Mental Health Services_Carbon Children’s Provider List
• Pennsylvania’s Liaisons and Shelter Directory- https://directory.center-school.org/homeless
• National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY)- https://naehcy.org/
• School House Scholarship & Youth Leadership Program- https://schoolhouseconnection.org/youth-leadership/scholarship-program/
• Access to Higher Education- https://nche.ed.gov/higher-education/
• PDE Family Resource Guide- https://www.education.pa.gov/about/Resources/ResourcesFamilies/Pages/default.aspx
• Carbon County Resources: Housing, Food, Medical Care, Housing, Employment- Homelessness_Carbon_County_Resources
• McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act- https://nche.ed.gov/legislation/mckinney-vento/
• Community Partnerships: (Community Partnerships_2023)
  Carbon, Monroe, Pike Mental Health Services- https://www.cmpmhds.org/services/CARBON/MONROE/PIKE MH/DS ASHLEY HIGHLAND (Carbon County) CASSP COORDINATOR
  428 SOUTH 7th ST SUITE 2, LEHIGHTON PA 18235
  Phone: (610) 377-0773 X 3621 Fax: (610) 377-5003
  Email: ahighland@cmpmhds.org 
• Victim Resource Center- https://vrcnepa.org/Victims Resource Center offers a broad spectrum of services to men, women, adolescents and children who are victims of crime, as well as their family members and friends affected by the incident. Services are always free of charge and confidential. 
• Carbon County Food Pantries- https://cms2.revize.com/revize/cmpmhdsp/Document%20center/%20Resources/Food%20Pantries/Carbon-County-Food-Pantries-Updated-2021.05.05.pdf
• Carbon County Meals and Services- https://cms2.revize.com/revize/cmpmhdsp/Document%20center/%20Resources/Food%20Pantries/Carbon-County-Meals-Updated-2021.05.05.km_.pdf
• Resources for Pregnant or Teen Parents/Early Childhood Resources – Early Childhood Programs, Services and Resources
• Pre-K Counts Flier – 25-26PreKCountsFlier
• Pre-K Counts Application – 25-26_PreK_Counts_Application_JT
• Trauma and Your Family- https://cms2.revize.com/revize/cmpmhdsp/Document%20center/%20MISC/NCTSNFamFact.pdf
• Tips for Talking to Students After a Traumatic Event- https://cms2.revize.com/revize/cmpmhdsp/Document%20center/%20MISC/TipsKids.pdf
• When Terrible Things Happen: What You Might Experience-Suggestions on How to Handle- https://cms2.revize.com/revize/cmpmhdsp/Document%20center/%20MISC/Terible.pdf
• Educational Placement Resolution Process for students experiencing homelessness: https://www.education.pa.gov/K-12/Homeless%20Education/Pages/DisputeResolutionProcess.aspx
• McKinney Vento Dispute Letter- https://www.education.pa.gov/Documents/K-12/Homeless%20Education/Dispute%20Letter%20English.pdf
• Homelessness and College: https://www.onlinemastersdegrees.org/student-resources/homelessness-student-support/
• PA Homeless Shelters by City & County- https://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/state/pennsylvania
• PA Food Pantries, Food, Food Banks, Soup Kitchens by city: https://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/foodbanks/state/pennsylvania
• PA Free Mental health Centers: https://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/foodbanks/state/pennsylvania
• PA Free Dental Clinics: https://www.freedentalcare.us/st/pennsylvania
• Carbon County Transportation Services for Families Experiencing Homelessness: Carbon County Transportation Services for Families Experiencing Homelessness
• Project Aware: Supports for Counseling, Behavioral Health Needs and Other Mental Health Resources – https://mciu.org/office-of-student-services/project-aware/