Homeless Student Services

The Old Forge School District is committed to offering the highest level of education to all students no matter their home situation. The district SAP team works with many area agencies, as well as the state department of education to ensure all students’ needs are met. The purpose of this page is to share state documents and links regarding Homeless Student Education, as well as share information from the school when relevant. Old Forge is located in Region 7.

The Department of Education has a number of documents, forms, and educational circulars available on their website which you can access by clicking here

Pennsylvania’s Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program was established to make sure homeless youth have access to a free and appropriate public education while removing barriers that homeless children face. Its goal is to have the educational process continue as uninterrupted as possible while the children are in homeless situations. Some of the other main objectives of Pennsylvania’s Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program are to inform local school districts of their responsibilities to homeless children and youth, to increase awareness about the needs of homeless children, explain current laws and policies, and provide practical tips for working with homeless children.

Old Forge School District Homeless Liaison Danyel Boyce danyel.boyce@ofsd.cc 570-457-6721 ext. 254

McKinney-Vento Act

On July 22, 1987, the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act became public law. This was the first comprehensive federal law dealing with the problems of homelessness in America. Recently included in the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act, it is now called the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001.

The Education for Homeless Children and Youths (EHCY) program, authorized under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (McKinney-Vento Act), is designed to address the needs of homeless children and youths and ensure educational rights and protections for these children and youths. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) amended the McKinney-Vento Act, and changes made by the ESSA will take effect on October 1, 2016.

Federal Homeless Non Regulatory Guidance