How Can Families in Transition Staff Help My Family/Student?

  • The McKinney Vento Act is a federal mandate that ensures that students who are experiencing homelessness have access to the same free and appropriate education as other students. The Reading school district is committed to provide the support to promote educational stability so that students may remain in their school of origin.  Each school building has a McKinney Vento Liaison to assist students and families during this transition.  

    Your student may qualify if your family is:

    • Sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar circumstance

    • In a place not designated as regular housing such as vehicle, park, hotel or campground

    • In a homeless/domestic violence shelter

    • Outside of your home without parent (Unaccompanied Youth)

    • Awaiting foster care

    How can families in transition staff help my family/student?

    • Assist in arranging accommodations for your student to continue their education in their current school (even if living outside of the district)

    • Arrange transportation 

    • Assistance with enrolling in the school district in which the family resides (if preferred) 

    • Assist with Basic Needs (Clothing, jackets, school supplies, hygiene products)

    • Assistance with any school related expenses (athletic/club fees, uniforms, supplies etc) 

Knight's Closet

  • The district has established a Knight's Closet at each of our school buildings to help students in need, particularly those who are homeless or at risk. Our goal in creating the Knight's Closet is to meet students' basic needs with items such as food, clothing, hygiene products, and school supplies.  We are hopeful that by fulfilling these needs, students will be able to focus on their education. The district's social work team works closely with students to ensure they are educated on how to access additional outside resources.

    If you are a мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø student/family and need assistance with clothing, hygiene products, school supplies, or basic food supplies, please contact the principal, nurse, social worker, or school counselor at your child's school. Click here to see a list of our schools.

    The мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø’s Knight’s Closet recognizes the various barriers our students experience. In response, we are committed to providing access to basic needs to students and families. Donations are accepted from community partners and individuals to help us provide additional resources for students and their families. If you are able to help support our Knight’s Closet, please contact Emily Snisky, or shop directly from our .

    Examples of donations we are always grateful to receive include:

    • New Clothing (all sizes): T-shirts, undergarments, socks, leggings 

    • School Supplies: book bags, crayons/markers, arts and crafts supplies (playdough, coloring books, smencils, fidgets)

    • New Personal Care Items: feminine hygiene supplies, laundry detergent, towels/washcloths/loofah

    • Gift cards to local Reading grocery stores and Walmart

    • Please send monetary donations to:
      The Knights Closet
      Attn: Student Support Services
      800 Washington Street
      Reading, PA 19601

Contact

  • Leanne Eckenrode
    Families in Transition Coordinator

    eckenrodel@readingsd.org
    484-258-7365, ext 57940

Resources for Families in Transition

Policies

Contact

  • Emily Snisky
    Knight's Closet Contact

    610-371-5935, ext. 54126
    sniskye@readingsd.org

    BCIU Homeless Student Program
    610-987-8509