Homeless Assistance

The Connellsville Area School District and Connellsville Area Career and Technical Center are committed to ensuring that students experiencing homelessness have uninterrupted access to education and school services.

Under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, children and youth may qualify for support when they lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This may include children and youth who are:

• Sharing housing with others because of a loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason;

• Living in a hotel or motel because they lack another adequate place to stay;

• Living in an emergency or transitional shelter;

• Living in a car, park, public space, abandoned building, bus or train station, or another place not ordinarily used for sleeping;

• Living in housing without adequate utilities or in other substandard conditions; or

• Living without a parent or legal guardian while experiencing one of these circumstances.

Educational Rights and Support

Eligible students may have the right to:

• Enroll in school immediately, even when normally required records are unavailable;

• Remain in their school of origin when it is in their best interest;

• Receive transportation to and from their school of origin;

• Participate fully in classes and school activities;

• Receive free school meals; and

• Access school supplies, academic assistance, counseling, and other available services.

Eligibility is determined individually based on the student’s current living situation. Families and students are encouraged to contact the District if housing becomes unstable or changes during the school year. Information will be handled respectfully and shared only as necessary to arrange appropriate services.

District Contact

Dr. Lori J. Rosensteel, Ed.D.
Homeless Education Liaison
Connellsville Area School District
732 Rockridge Road
Connellsville, PA 15425
lrosensteel@casdfalcons.org