Homelessness

YSGA cares deeply about all of our students and takes many steps to ensure they receive the care and attention they need as well as the education they deserve. This includes any of our students who experience homelessness.

What Is Homelessness?

The federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act defines homeless children and youth as those who lack a fixed, adequate, regular nighttime residence. This includes children who are living in temporary quarters, substandard housing, or public spaces, either alone or with others.

Help Is Available at Young Scholars

Young Scholars has a homeless and foster youth liaison, who leads our effort to ensure the McKinney-Vento Act is fulfilled for our students who experience homelessness. Ms. Kielbasa helps school staff identify these youth and direct them toward needed resources and support through connection to other services and agencies.

Parents and guardians of children who may qualify for this service, or whose living situation changes during the school year such that their children become homeless, should contact Ms. Kielbasa.

She can be reached at:
Lauren Kielbasa
Phone: (412) 673-7300, ext. 221
Email: kielbasa@ysga.org

Ms. Kielbasa and the rest of our staff will work to ensure that the education of any of our children who experience homelessness is disrupted as little as possible.

Help Is Also Available from the State

About McKinney-Vento

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act guarantees a free and appropriate public education for all homeless children and youth. B.E.C. 42 U.S.C. 11431 outlines procedures for deciding school placement, enrolling students, and determining responsibility. Federal and state laws make each school’s responsibility clear.

YSGA Board MKV Manual

McKinney-Vento Act Basics At-a-Glance

“Homeless” is defined as “anyone lacking a fixed, adequate, regular nighttime residence.”

What situations fit this definition?

  • Staying in the home of other people due to unavailable housing, financial hardship, or similar circumstances
  • Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks (in some instances, e.g., leaking roof, no heat), public places, or campgrounds due to unavailable suitable housing options
  • Living in an emergency shelter or transitional housing
  • Runaway or unaccompanied (not living in the direct care of a legal parent or guardian) youth
  • Refugee and migrant youth

The law makes sure that homeless students receive free and suitable public education by removing barriers to school enrollment and full, basic, daily participation in school activities.

This includes:

  • Immediate enrollment as long as other students living in the same area would be eligible to attend the school unless there is overcrowding or a specialized selection process
  • Free and reduced school lunch
  • Help with any necessary enrollment documents
  • Help setting up transportation services (if the student qualifies)
  • Help to get basic uniform clothing
  • Help with basic school supplies
  • Help with basic clothing needs