Contact information for the District's guidance counselors can be found on each school's staff directory. Additionally, there are separate web pages for the middle school and high school guidance departments, which are listed below.

YSMS Guidance Department
YSHS Guidance Department

McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance
The Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) program is authorized under Title VII-B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.) (McKinney-Vento Act). The McKinney-Vento Act was originally authorized in 1987 and most recently re-authorized in December 2015 by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).1 The McKinney-Vento Act is designed to address the challenges that homeless children and youths have faced in enrolling, attending, and succeeding in school.

Under the McKinney-Vento Act, educational agencies must ensure that each homeless child and youth has equal access to the same free, appropriate public education, including a public preschool education, as other children and youths. Homeless children and youths must have access to the educational and related services that they need to enable them to meet the same challenging State academic standards to which all students are held. In addition, homeless students may not be separated from the mainstream school environment. Local Educational Agencies are required to review and undertake steps to revise laws, regulations, practices, or policies that may act as barriers to the identification, enrollment, attendance, or success in school of homeless children and youths.

The law indicates that the LEA liaison shall ensure that all homeless children, youth and families are identified through coordinated activities with other entities.

DEFINITIONS

Homeless Children - The McKinney-Vento Act defines homeless children as “individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.” This definition includes (but is not limited to) children who are:

• sharing housing due to economic hardship or loss of housing (e.g. doubled-up)
• living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or campgrounds
• living in emergency or transitional shelters
• sleeping in places unfit for human habitation (e.g. park benches)
• living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, etc.

Unaccompanied Youth - Children or youth who meets the definition of homeless and not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian.

CORE PROVISIONS

Designated District Liaison
Every local education agency (LEA) must designate a liaison for students experiencing
homelessness whose key duties include:

• Ensuring that homeless children and youth are identified and enrolled in school, and
  have a full and equal opportunity to succeed in school.
  • Assisting with enrollment, arranging for transportation and free meals, monitoring school attendance.
  • Providing school supplies and other related items so they can fully participate.
  • Assist with accessing support services, such as, tutoring, Special Education, English Language Learning, and other resources.
  • Assist students so they can participate in school activities, field trips, sports, etc.
• Ensuring that homeless children, youth, and families receive referrals to health, dental, mental health, housing, substance abuse, and other appropriate community services.
• Ensuring that unaccompanied homeless youth are informed, and receive verification, of
  their status as independent students for college financial aid.

STUDENT RIGHTS

School Stability

• Children and youth experiencing homelessness can remain in their school of origin for
  the duration of homelessness and until the end of an academic year in which they obtain
  permanent housing, if it is in their best interest.
• LEAs must make best interest determinations that presume that staying in the school of
  origin is in the best interest of the child or youth; consider specific student-centered
  factors; prioritize the wishes of the parent, guardian, or unaccompanied youth; and
  include a written explanation and right to appeal if the LEA determines that school
  stability is not in the best interest of the child or youth.
• Transportation to the school of origin is required, including until the end of the academic
  year when a student obtains permanent housing.

School Enrollment and Full Participation

• Children and youth experiencing homelessness have the right to be enrolled in school of residence immediately, even if they lack documents normally required at time of enrollment or have missed application or enrollment deadlines.
• LEAs must develop, review, and revise policies to remove barriers to the
  identification, enrollment, and retention of homeless students in school, including
  barriers due to fees, fines, and absences. This includes procedures to ensure that homeless children and youth do not face barriers to accessing academic and extracurricular activities.
• If a dispute arises over eligibility, school selection or enrollment, the child or youth must
  be immediately enrolled in the school in which the parent, guardian or unaccompanied
  youth seeks enrollment, pending resolution of the dispute, including all available
  appeals.

Additional Rights

• Free lunch and breakfast (if applicable).
• Free school supplies and uniforms (if applicable).
• Educational resources and support services to help children and youth experiencing homelessness reach academic success.

If you have questions concerning homeless students or need additional information, please contact the district liaison, Miranda Jenkins, Social Worker.

Please visit our Health Services page for additional information.

Miranda Jenkins
High School Social Worker
717-885-1270 x8240
mjenkins@yssd.org

Brienna Derr
Middle School Social Worker 
717-885-1260 x6009
bderr@yssd.org

Tera Hanson
Social Worker for Grades K-5
(717) 885-1240 x4114
thanson@yssd.org

The following list illustrates some of the support social workers can provide to your student and family.

Mental Health Referrals
Behavioral Health Referrals
Food Insecurity
Case Management
Home-School Liaison
Insurance/Benefits Assistance
Homeless Services

Child Find Information

Destruction of Information

Online Series of Autism Modules

Overview of Services

Procedural Safeguards Notice

Special Education FAQs

True North Amazing Kids Club

True North Autism Services

The 2025-2028 Special Education Comprehensive Plan is available for public review until Wednesday, April 23, 2025.

Questions or comments should be directed to Dr. Sherry Campbell, Director of Pupil Services at scampbell@yssd.org.

Related File

2025-2028 Special Education Comprehensive Plan

Please visit our Student Care Teams page for more information about this initiative and its associated resources.

Please visit our Title IX web page for more information, forms, and resources related to the District's Title IX efforts.