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.

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
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Email: kielbasa@ysga.orgMs. 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

• PA Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness
• PA Department of Education Homeless Education
• 211 Helpline Center
• Additional AIU Resources
• COMPASS PA
• PA Department of Human Services
• PA CareerLink or 717-783-6238 (help finding employment)
• 1-800-KIDS-101 (“Children’s Health Insurance Program” free and low-cost health insurance for children)

Help is available at Young Scholars

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.