Homeless Liaisons

Allentown School District’s Homeless Liaisons identify students experiencing homelessness, and implements strategies to address barriers to enrollment, attendance, and participation in school activities.

Students experiencing homelessness are entitled under law to:

• An education on an equal basis with other children.
• Continue to attend their home school of origin.
• Immediate enrollment, even if they lack records.
• Special assistance from an Allentown School District Homeless Liaison.

Note: If a student is in a temporary living situation, he/she may be able to remain in his/her current school. Talk with an Allentown School District resources before dis-enrolling.

Who are the Homeless?

Homeless children may be found in the following places:

• Public or private shelters.
• Public or private places not designated for or ordinarily used as regular sleeping accommodations, such as vehicles, parks, motels, campgrounds, etc.
• With a parent in a domestic violence shelter.
• With relatives or friends due to lack of housing.
• In transitional housing programs.
• In a temporary living situation due to an event such as fire, domestic violence, eviction or code violations.

Those also considered homeless are:

• Runaway children (under 18 years of age) and children/youth who have been abandoned or forced out of home by parents or other caretakers.
  • They may be in temporary shelters awaiting assistance from social service agencies, or may live alone on the street or move from place to place among family members, friends or acquaintances.
  • This also includes youth from 18 through 21 years of age who may still be eligible for educational services in regular or special education.
• Children of migrant families who lack adequate housing.
• Children abandoned in hospitals or awaiting foster care.
• School-age, unwed or expectant mothers living in houses for unwed mothers when they have no other available living accommodations.

McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

The McKinney–Vento Homeless Assistance Act guarantees a Free and Appropriate Public Education for all children and youth experiencing
homelessness. 

Homeless is defined as “anyone lacking a fixed, adequate, regular nighttime residence.” Children and youth who are experiencing homelessness, according to the McKinney-Vento Act, have been displaced from their homes and are living in a place that is not fixed, regular, or adequate, such as:

• Sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason.
• In a place not designated as regular sleeping accommodation, such as a vehicle, park, hotel, or campground.
• In a homeless or domestic violence shelter or transitional housing placement.
• Outside of his/her home as an unaccompanied youth.
• In any of the situations listed above as the child of a migrant family.

Federal and state laws make our responsibility clear. We must provide proper educational support and services. The law makes sure that these students receive a free and suitable public education by removing barriers to school enrollment and full, basic, daily participation in school activities. This includes: 

• Access to the District Homeless Liaison(s)..
• Help with basic needs such as hygiene products, socks, undergarments, winter items.
• Help with coordination of school-based and community referrals and support services (i.e. academic, clothing, food, shelter, and healthcare).
• Immediate enrollment.
• Help from school with any necessary enrollment documents.
• Help from school setting up transportation service (if the student qualifies).
• Help from school with basic supplies.
• Help from school with any basic clothing needs.
• Help from school with basic high school graduation needs and expenses.

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If your family is experiencing homelessness and is in need of support to reduce barriers to education, please contact the Allentown School District’s main number, 484-765-4000, to be connected to one of our District homeless liaisons.

PA 211

If you need to connect with resources in the community, PA 211 is a great place to start. From help with a utilities bill, to housing assistance, after-school programs for kids, and more, you can dial 211 or text your zip code to 898-211 to talk with a resource specialist for free. Specialists will listen to your needs, and give you information on programs in the community that might be able to help.