Overview
On July 22, 1987, the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act became public law. This was the first comprehensive federal law that addressed homelessness in America. It was included in the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act as the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001.

In 1988, the Pennsylvania Department of Education established the Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program. This program has been responsible for assessing PA's homeless children population, developing appropriate responses, and establishing McKinney-Vento homeless sites across the Commonwealth.

Administration of the Program in Region 5
Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV in collaboration with the School District of the City of Erie and the Northwest Tri-County IU 5 administers the programs and services in Region 5. Region 5 serves the following 10 counties in Western Pennsylvania: Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, Venango, and Warren.

Who is Considered Homeless?
Homeless children are found in the following places or situations:

• Public or private shelters
• Public or private places not designated for ordinarily used as regular sleeping accommodations for human beings–vehicles, parks, motels, campgrounds, etc.
• Living with parents in a domestic violence shelter
• Individuals and/or families living with relatives or friends due to lack of housing
• Runaway children (under 18 years of age) and children and youth who have been abandoned or forced out of home by parents or other caretakers (including such youth from 18 through 21 years of age who may still be eligible for educational services in regular or special education)
• Children of migrant families who lack adequate housing; or school-age,unwed mothers or expectant mothers living in houses for unwed mothers when they have no other available living accommodations.

• Homeless Children have the right to attend either their original school or the school in the area in which they currently reside for the duration of their homelessness, or until the end of the school year if the family finds permanent housing.
  
• Schools are to immediately enroll homeless children and unaccompanied youth, even if they are unable to produce records normally required for enrollment, such as previous academic records, medical records, proof of residency, and any other required documentation.
  
• In the case where the educating district is different than the district where the student is temporarily residing, both school districts are responsible for the facilitation of transportation in the best interest of the student.
  
• Immediately upon enrollment, homeless students are entitled to receive a daily, free school lunch.