- West York Area School District
- Special Education
- Homelessness
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Homelessness
West York Area School District aims to provide educational stability for students experiencing times of transition, displacement, or homelessness. Traci Stauffer, Director of Special Education and Pupil Services, is the District’s Liaison between students and their families and the PA Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH) Program. The McKinney-Vento Act is a federal mandate that ensures students experiencing homelessness or displacement can access the same free and appropriate public education as their peers.
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How Homelessness is Defined
ECYEH defines “homeless” as individuals who do not have a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This includes people who are:
- “Doubled up” or sharing the housing of others because of the loss of their home, economic hardship or other reasons.
- Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or campgrounds because they lack adequate accommodations.
- Living in a shelter
- Living in cars, public spaces such as parks, bus, or train stations, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, or other similar arrangements
- Spending nights in a primary nighttime residence that is public or a private place not designated for regular sleeping accommodations.
- Migratory and qualifying under one of the circumstances described above.
A student may be considered accompanied (in the physical custody of a parent or guardian) or unaccompanied (not living with a parent or guardian) in the circumstances described above.
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The Rights of Current and Newly Enrolled Students
- The right to attend school. Students have the right to stay in the school they attended before becoming homeless or displaced if the parent or guardian chooses, even if they are living transitionally outside the school district borders. The Transportation Office will arrange transportation from this transition address to West York buildings. If preferred by the student or family, West York staff will assist students in enrolling in the district where the family resides.
- The right to a free breakfast and lunch.
- The right to participate in extracurricular activities and federal, state, or local programs for which he/she is eligible despite financial difficulty. In addition, Student Assistance Programs are equally accessible to all homeless/displaced students.
- The right, when nearing graduation, to a district-initiated graduation plan to maximize credits already received and chart the path to graduation. District staff will assist in obtaining records from other schools attended and, in addition, provide other academic supports as needed by homeless/displaced students.
- The right to enroll with certain documentation waived. For example, proof of permanent residence is not required. Even if records such as immunizations or other documentation normally provided during enrollment are unavailable, the District will eliminate any barriers and assist the student in beginning studies with no unnecessary delay.
- The right to be assisted in understanding the enrollment process when the primary language is other than English through the services of an interpreter or translator.
- The right to a formal dispute process as outlined in your Procedural Safeguards.
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Supports for Students Experiencing Homelessness
West York Area School District has a variety of supports for basic needs. This includes free clothing, school supplies, hygiene products, access to laundry facilities, and a Backpack program that provides weekend food. In approved circumstances, the District also assists with mileage or gas cards for students transported by their family and unaccompanied licensed students driving to school.
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The West York Area School District community truly cares about the needs of families and students and is eager to help. No one should ever be reluctant to inform staff of their transitional situation.
Any family or student in the circumstances described above should immediately contact their school counselor or social worker, who will contact the Homeless Liaison and facilitate connections with resources within the School District and the community.
Any family or student in the enrollment process in one of the circumstances described above should inform the enrollment secretary. This will ensure that the rights of these pupils and their families are not overlooked.
HOMELESSNESS ASSISTANCE RESOURCES
WYASD Homeless Student Liaison & Fostering Connections Coordinator
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Ms. Traci Stauffer
(717) 792-2796 x1025
State Coordinator
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Mr. Storm Camara
(717) 772-2066