School Help for Reading Students Without Stable Housing
Reading School District has a Families in Transition social worker who helps children and teens who do not have stable housing stay enrolled in and attend school under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, which guarantees a free and appropriate public education for all children and youth experiencing homelessness.
This is for youth and families having difficulty securing appropriate and permanent housing. That may include, but is not limited to, living in a shelter, transitional housing, a motel, a vehicle, a campground, on the street, or doubled up with relatives or friends because of a lack of housing. It also covers unaccompanied youth, meaning students experiencing homelessness who are not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian. The federal education definition of homelessness is individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.
Federal law sets out procedures for deciding school placement, enrolling students, and determining responsibility, under 42 U.S.C. 11431.
To get started, contact Emily Snisky, the Families in Transition Social Worker, at 610-371-5705, extension 81981. The Regional Office for Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness can be reached at 610-987-8509. The district office is at 800 Washington St, Reading, PA 19601, and the main district phone number is 484-258-7000.
The page gives few details beyond this. It lists topics such as who qualifies, the rights of students experiencing homelessness, the signs of homelessness, who to contact and what they will do, and dispute resolution, but it does not spell out those answers, and it does not say what documents to bring, what hours the social worker is available, or how long the process takes. It points families to other resources including the Berks Coalition to End Homelessness, Berks Community Action Program (BCAP), Family Promise of Berks County and PA 211. Ask the social worker for the details that matter to your family.
Source: readingsd.org/page/families-in-transition, read September 18, 2026.
The details
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Unaccompanied Youth: Students experiencing homelessness who are not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian. Federal Education Definition of Homelessness: Individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.
In Reading School District’s words
The McKinney–Vento Homeless Assistance Act guarantees a free and appropriate public education for all children and youth experiencing homelessness. B.E.C. 42 U.S.C. 11431 outlines procedures for deciding school placement, enrolling students, and determining responsibility. Federal and state laws make our responsibility clear.
Organization
Reading School District
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This listing summarizes publicly available information from readingsd.org/page/families-in-transition. Last recorded review: September 18, 2026. Contact the provider to confirm eligibility, hours and availability before you go. If something here is wrong, tell us.