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Student Services

Helping students experiencing homelessness succeed in school

The Families in Transition Program helps children and youth access Pennsylvania’s public schools by removing barriers to a free and appropriate public education. The goal of the Families in Transition Program, known as FIT, is to have a student’s education continue as uninterrupted as possible while the student is living in a homeless situation.

The program assists students who are experiencing homelessness with school enrollment and with transportation arrangements to and from school. Many students face a variety of obstacles that hamper their ability to attend school. The homeless education coordinator strives to remove these barriers and to coordinate support services the children needs or is receiving.

MCKINNEY-VENTO ACT

Qualifications

A student  homeless if they are living in any of the following situations:

  • Living in a shelter, domestic violence shelter, or a transitional home
  • In a public or private place not designated as a regular sleeping accommodation (vehicle, park, hotel or campground)
  • Living with relatives or friends due to lack of housing (doubled up)
  • Unaccompanied Youth

How Families in Transition can help

  • Assist with school enrollment and placement
  • Provide agency referrals for clothing, food, shelter and healthcare
  • Provide educational materials such as school supplies and uniforms
  • Provide basic needs such as hygiene products, socks, undergarments, winter items
  • Arrange transportation when applicable
  • Coordinate support services with community agencies
  • Organize task force to serve as focal point for action, planning and coordinating services for homeless students

How YOU can help Families in Transition

The following items may be donated:

  • Book Bags
  • School Supplies
  • School Uniforms (New or gently used, all sizes)
  • Personal Care Items
  • Socks
  • Sneakers (new)
  • Gloves, Scarves and hats (new)
  • Winter coats (new or gently used)
  • Towels and washcloths (new)
  • Laundry Detergent
  • Bus Passes
  • Gift Cards to grocery stores, Walmart, Target, Good Will, Community Aid

Please send monetary donations to: School District of Lancaster, Attn: Families In Transition, 251 South Prince Street, 3rd Floor, Lancaster, PA 17603. Make checks payable to: Families In Transition.

Make a request to speak with the Families in Transition team

  • Select the school your student attends, if applicable