Homelessness

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.

• 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 Spring Grove buildings. If preferred by the student or family, Spring Grove staff 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. 

Spring Grove 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.