La Academia The Partnership Charter School Understands the importance of having a place you can call home.

Sometimes families find themselves in circumstances beyond their control that can result in homelessness. La Academia: The Partnership Charter School (LAPCS) provides support through their Homeless Liaison for families in transition–those families who are or may be experiencing homelessness for the first time or those who have been homeless for an extended period of time.

The Homeless Liaison is here to ensure that your children receive a quality education, receive the same opportunities for a stable educational experience, and assist where possible with tangible needs, transportation, and other identified needs while your children are enrolled in any of the districts schools and/or charter schools.

If you are at risk or currently experiencing homelessness, please contact Hannah Martin, our School Social Worker at 717-295-7763, Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., or send an email to hmartin@lapcs.org.

Homeless Assistance Act

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 (Public Law 107-110). Subtitle B addresses education for homeless children and youths (Sec. 721-726).

Provisions of the Act:

1.   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. 
2.  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. 
3.  In the case where the educational district is different than the district where the scholar is temporarily residing, both school districts are responsible for the facilitation of transportation in the best interest of the scholar. 
4.  Immediately upon enrollment, homeless scholars receive a daily, free school lunch and free school service. 
5.   McKinney-Vento defines homeless as living in the following situations:

• Living in shelters or transitional housing
• Living in cars, parks, substandard housing
• Sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing or economic hardship (doubled-up)
• Living in a hotel/motel, or campgrounds
• Migrant living in one of the above situations