Homeless Awareness Week

Pennsylvania's ECYEH Awareness Week highlights the importance of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, which ensures that homeless children and youth in Pennsylvania receive the education they need to build stable futures.

Schools and programs statewide will be hosting events to support homeless students and their families. Educators, community members, and leaders are encouraged to participate to gain a deeper understanding of the vital impact you make and the ongoing resources needed to support these students.

Join us to raise awareness and show support!

• Use and share our digital content.
• Participate in our Pennsylvania ECYEH Learning Series webinar on Wednesday, November 13, “Unleashing Extraordinary: Well-being Strategies for Educators Supporting Vulnerable Students.”
• Participate in Red Shirt Day, Friday, November 15.
• Build a community of support – Share your activities with us! Email your plans to ecyeh@csc.csiu.org.
• Use and share Finding Your Way in PA app to connect students and families with important local resources.
• Connect students with The Bridge Project in PA, providing online mental health services for children and youth experiencing homelessness.

On Friday, November 15, turn your school and community programs red to raise awareness for education for children and youth experiencing homelessness!

• Download #RedShirtDayPA flyer PDF.
• Take photos, selfies, videos, and share them on Facebook (tag @ECYEHPA) and Twitter (tag @PA_ECYEH and @Center_Schools) where we will also turn social media red!
• Create your own photobooth and take pictures #RedShirtDayPA.
• Share facts about children and youth experiencing homelessness on morning announcements each day.
• Host a toiletries drive. “Stuff the bus” with hygiene materials, food, clothing, blankets, etc

For the 2022-23 program year, education and community agencies identified 46,714 children and youth experiencing homelessness served by Pennsylvania's Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH) Program (unique, unduplicated count). The population includes children under the age of five and youth enrolled in prekindergarten through grade 12.

40,003 children and youth were identified as experiencing homelessness in 2021-22. This is an increase from 32,666 and 37,930 identified children and youth in 2020-21 and 2019-20, respectively, and historically is the highest reported attributed count. It is likely that the easing of the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to this increase, as physical school buildings and many provider spaces, including shelters, re-opened in 2021-22. An increased focus on identification and enrollment in 2021-22 because of ARP-HCY I funds may also be contributing to the increase in identified children and youth.

See the whole report on the Pennsylvania Department of Education Website

Special thanks to our AmeriCorps member, Ma'Kiyah Beauford, for spearheading this year's donation drive. If you'd like to host a donation drive for these items, please contact Ma'Kiyah at mbeauford@iu28.org.

1. Over 46,700 children and youth experiencing homelessness were identified in PA during the 2022-23 school year. #IWillBeYourVoice #LetsHaveAConversation #ECYEHAwareness #Homelessness
2. 86% of identified children and youth experiencing homelessness in PA were enrolled in school in 2022-23. School is a lifeline for housing insecure students. #IWillBeYourVoice #LetsHaveAConversation #Homelessness #ECYEHAwareness
3. Students experiencing homelessness can face barriers to school enrollment and participation in school. We are committed to identifying, breaking down, and eliminating barriers to ensure equity for students. #IWillBeYourVoice #LetsHaveAConversation #Homelessness #ECYEHAwareness
4. 4Nearly 80% of students experiencing homelessness in PA remained in their school of origin, providing crucial stability. School stability matters for housing insecure students. #IWillBeYourVoice #ECYEHAwareness #Homelessness #ECYEHAwareness
5. Students experiencing homelessness graduate at a lower rate than their housed peers. We are committed to supporting youth experiencing homelessness on their path to on-time graduation, despite the challenges they face. #IWillBeYourVoice #ECYEHAwareness #LetsHaveAConversation #Homelessness #ECYEHAwareness

All students have the right to a free, public and appropriate education. Being homeless can create barriers. The PA E.C.Y.E.H. program works hard to eliminate those barriers.

E.C.Y.E.H. works to provide services to all children and youth experiencing homelessness.

Services Offered by E.C.Y.E.H.

• School enrollment/placement, with the assistance of the local school district homeless liaison;

• Agency referrals (clothing, food, shelter);

• Increasing public awareness on homelessness;

• Consultative phone calls for homeless parents on preschool and school issues;

• Coordinating transportation services;

• Interagency problem-solving;

• Literature on homeless children;

• Personal visits to shelters/motels;

• Tracking/transferring school records; and

• Accessing educational programs.

Please feel free to contact us at anytime with questions or concerns.

ECYEH - Pennsylvania's website for supporting students experiencing homelessness

ECYEH Padlet

PA Foster Care.org

Foster Care Padlet

Region 6 Google Drive - new resources being added frequently that are now county specific. Send any new resources to sschroth@iu28.org or iwalker@iu28.org to be included in the drive.

Regional Coordinator for Region 6 in Pennsylvania. My office is located at ARIN IU28 in Indiana, PA. Region 6 serves the following 11 counties: Armstrong, Blair, Cambria, Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Indiana, Jefferson, and Potter.

Email: sschroth@iu28.prg
Website: ARIN IU28 - ECYEH Program
Location: ARIN Intermediate Unit 28, West Pike Road, Indiana, PA, USA
Phone: 724-463-5300 ext 1203

Cell: 724-840-8672

Region 6 Coordinator for Educational Stability for Foster Care Youth in Pennsylvania and Homeless Specialist. My office is located at ARIN IU28 in Indiana, PA. Region 6 serves the following 11 counties: Armstrong, Blair, Cambria, Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Indiana, Jefferson, and Potter.

Email: iwalker@iu28.org
Website: https://www.iu28.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1095629&type=d&pREC_ID=1379780
Location: ARIN Intermediate Unit 28, West Pike Road, Indiana, PA, USA
Phone: 724-463-5300 ext1207

Cell: 724-840-8677