The Bucks County IU's Homeless Children's Initiative is built around the federal McKinney Homeless Act and the Pennsylvania Homeless Student State Plan. Emphasis is placed on ensuring that homeless children and youth are enrolled in school. In addition, priority is given to the barriers outlined in the State Plan in terms of removing or reducing them. The Liaison position serves a variety of purposes intended to manage the project in the most effective and efficient manner. Problem solving, public relations, increasing awareness of how to help homeless children, encouraging homeless parents, outreach visits and mailings, tracking of students and making referrals are some of the key activities.
Every school year finds staff changes at all locations.
Developing the local network for Homeless Student Contact Persons has also resulted in smoother and less stressful admissions. Placing posters and literature in motels has contributed to families knowing about school choice and that residency doesn't have to be proven. Many have enrolled that otherwise would most likely not put their children in school for fear of child protection services intervention. Working in a large county without universal access to public transportation and with multiple school districts, efforts are taken to set up taxi rides to keep children in the school of origin while more permanent arrangements can be made. The results are fewer absences and fewer school changes.