• Education for Homeless Youth

    In compliance with the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, as reauthorized in 2015 by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the Pine-Richland School District continues to attempt to identify all children within the district that may be experiencing homelessness.  In efforts to continue to provide high-quality education and experiences to our Pine-Richland families and students, we would like to take a moment to review the qualifying factors of individuals 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.).

    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.  

    If you believe you know of families or individual students that may qualify for this service, please contact Dr. Melissa Ramirez, School Psychologist, McKinney-Vento Liaison at (724) 443-7230 ext. 6504 or mramirez@pinerichland.org.

    For further information and guidance, please visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education Basic Education Circular, BEC - Education for Homeless Youth.