New program will support students experiencing homelessness

There are more than 6,000 homeless students in Bucks, Delaware, Lehigh, Montgomery and Northampton counties.

The Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH) program, administered by the Bucks County Intermediate Unit (Bucks IU) in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), supports the school districts of the five counties known as Region 8. The Bucks IU, through ECYEH, is excited to be launching a new program called Essential Closets to provide eligible students with the basics of clothing throughout the region.

These closets, located in area schools, will offer essential apparel items like socks, underwear, shorts, t-shirts, hoodies and sweatshirts. This fall, sixty-five school entities across Bucks, Delaware, Lehigh, Montgomery and Northampton counties (Region 8) will receive an initial supply of clothing essentials to start their closets.

“For children and youth experiencing homelessness, having new clothing can make a significant difference in their school experience,” said Dr. Mark Hoffman, executive director of the Bucks IU. “We thank our partners at PDE for the opportunity to use these funds locally at the school-level to directly support children experiencing homelessness. It’s in our local schools where teachers, paraprofessionals, school counselors, social workers and administrators have the positive relationships with their students and families that result in these much-needed supplies being distributed quickly and efficiently to those who qualify.”

The Essential Closets program is funded through federal appropriations focused on supporting children and youth experiencing homelessness. Local Education Agencies (LEAs) in the Region 8 counties will receive an initial clothing supply valued at approximately $7,000. This program is designed to provide the foundation from which school districts and LEAs may then continue this initiative.

As a result of their homelessness, children and youth may lack consistent access to clean, adequate and appropriate clothing. This can lead to challenges at school such as the child feeling self-conscious, having difficulty concentrating and being bullied. These issues can negatively impact a child’s ability to fully engage and succeed academically.

“Helping students stay in school and succeed is a key objective of ECYEH’s programs,” stated Mary Agnes DeCicco, the Bucks IU’s program director of federal and nonpublic programs. “The Bucks IU is honored to support the Essential Closets initiative, ensuring that students experiencing homelessness across these five counties receive new clothes this school year.”