Over 50,000 students experienced homelessness in Pennsylvania during the 2023-2024 school year, with 1.5 million homeless students identified across the United States.
November 2025 marks the 12th year that Pennsylvania’s Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness program has been raising awareness about the urgent issue of student homelessness that demands our attention and compassion.
November 17-21, the Juniata County School District is joining schools across Pennsylvania in observing Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH) Awareness Week. This annual observance highlights the importance of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, a federal law that ensures that students who are experiencing homelessness have equal access to education and support services.
Homelessness can take many forms. It can mean living in a shelter, staying temporarily with relatives or friends, residing in a motel, or finding refuge in cars and other temporary spaces. For children and youth, these challenges can disrupt routines, increase stress, and make it harder to focus on school. ECYEH Awareness Week is a reminder that education can be a source of stability and hope when everything else feels uncertain.
Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive, no matter where they sleep at night.