Homeless & Foster Care » Region 6 - Support

Region 6 - Support

Region 6
 
IASD is part of Region 6 which consists of 11 counties (Armstrong, Blair, Cambria, Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Indiana, Jefferson, and Potter), which includes 55 school districts and 20 shelters.  The Regional Coordinator for Pennsylvania's Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program is based out of the Armstrong-Indiana Intermediate Unit 28 (ARIN) in Indiana County. The Site Coordinator is based out of Central Intermediate Unit 10 Family Center in Centre County, State College.  

Region 6's goal is to target the needs of homeless children, youth, and their families.  The goal is to provide educational assistance and support to children living in transitional situations such as homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, and other temporary housing situations and to provide as much stability as possible for children and youth who are experiencing homelessness.  This is done via the McKinney-Vento Law which states that homeless children and youth receive equal access to a free, appropriate public education as would be provided to other residents and be consistent with state attendance laws.

The coordinators work in collaboration with the school districts and shelter/transitional housing providers to ensure continuity, while the children are in homeless situations.  This is done in several ways and not limited to:
 
  • Training school district liaisons and shelter providers 
  • Technical assistance
  • Personal visits to sites
  • Distribution of literature
  • School enrollment and placement issues 
  • Referrals for clothing, food, shelter, transportation and other related services
 
For additional information on the services provided in Region 6, please contact:
 
ARIN Intermediate Unit #28
Sarah Schroth
Regional Coordinator
Telephone:  724-463-5300 ext. 1203
Email: [email protected]
 
Irene Walker
Site Coordinator
Telephone:  724-463-5300 ext. 1207
Email:  [email protected]