Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH): Guidance for Successful Education Journeys is a monthly webinar series offering professional development for homeless liaisons, educators, and other professionals supporting children and youth experiencing homelessness. Each session provides practical guidance, strategies, and resources to strengthen implementation of the McKinney-Vento Act, address barriers to education, and promote positive outcomes for students.
Disclaimer: Learning series sessions are created by individual providers. The opinions presented herein do not necessarily represent the official stance or policies of the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), and no official endorsement by the PDE should be inferred.
Financial Aid for Students with Special Circumstances
Thursday, Sept. 10 from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
The webinar will provide an overview of the financial aid application process, and what types of aid are available with a focus on special student population audiences including:
- Refugee and migrant students
- Students experiencing homelessness
- Students in foster care
- Expectant and parenting students
There will be Q&A time available after the presentation.
Meet Our Presenter
Evelyn Disla-Hernández, MS, currently serves as a Higher Education Access Partner for Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) for Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, and Pike counties. She has over 28 years of experience in financial aid from a variety of Higher Education Institutions. She is an enthusiastic supporter and particularly sensitive to the needs of those who are marginalized and underrepresented and considers providing information that facilitates accessibility and affordability to education one of her passions. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends and reading.
ECYEH Reporting App (ERA) Help Desk Live: Common Questions a Open Q&A
Tuesday, Sept. 29 from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Join the ECYEH Evaluation Team for an interactive ERA support session designed to help users navigate common reporting questions and challenges. We’ll begin by reviewing frequently asked questions and practical guidance based on issues that commonly arise when using the ECYEH Reporting App (ERA). The remainder of the session will be dedicated to open Q&A, giving participants an opportunity to ask questions, troubleshoot issues, and get clarification on ERA reporting requirements and processes.
Meet Our Presenters
Sheila Bell, M.A., is the Program Director for the Allegheny Intermediate Unit’s Evaluation, Grants and Data Department and is responsible for managing local and state program evaluations including Pennsylvania’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers, Migrant Education Program, and Educating Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program. Prior to this role, Sheila served as the Assistant Executive Deputy Director for Integrated Program Services at the Allegheny County Department of Human Services. She is also an adjunct faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh. She has a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Political Science and a master’s degree in public policy from Duquesne University.
Jim Ross, a Senior Evaluation Coordinator at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit’s (AIU) Evaluation, Grants and Data (EGD) Department, holds an MA in Applied Statistics and a BS in Statistics. In this capacity, Jim creates and maintains the data file for Pennsylvania’s Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH) program. He also develops data files and conducts data analysis for several additional state and local EGD projects including Pennsylvania’s Migrant Education Program and the Pennsylvania 21st Century Community Learning Centers. Jim spent the early part of his career in the CPG industry conducting market research and producing revenue forecasts for entire product lines. After nine years in that role, he transitioned to a consulting role at the AIU which led to his current position.
Be sure to join us at the 2026 Paving the Way Conference on October 6-7 in Lancaster.
The 2026 Paving the Way to Educational Success Conference is a dynamic statewide learning opportunity dedicated to advancing school stability and educational success for students experiencing homelessness and students experiencing foster care.
Through keynote presentations, breakout sessions and networking opportunities, participants will explore foundational core competencies, emerging best practices, sustainable capacity building, effective McKinney-Vento and foster care education programs, collaboration and community partnerships, student voice and belonging, and educator and student well-being.
Visit our conference website for all the 2026 Paving the Way Conference details.
McKinney-Vento and the Pennsylvania ECYEH Program: Building a Strong Foundation
Whether you are new to the McKinney-Vento Act or looking for a refresher, this session provides a practical overview of the Pennsylvania ECYEH Program, McKinney-Vento law, and its application in schools. Participants will explore the purpose and intent of the McKinney-Vento Act, eligibility determination, the definition of homelessness, school selection and enrollment rights, transportation requirements, dispute resolution, and the role of the local liaison. Through sharing real-world examples and common misconceptions, this session will help build your confidence in identifying students experiencing homelessness and supporting their academic journey within your school and community.
November date, registration, and presenter information forthcoming.
Your Youngest Students Aren’t in School Yet: Connecting K–12 Homeless Liaisons with Early Childhood Programs
Tuesday, Dec. 8 from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Many infants, toddlers, and preschoolers experiencing homelessness go unidentified because they are not yet enrolled in K–12 schools, even though McKinney-Vento protections begin at birth. This session will help Pennsylvania Homeless Liaisons understand their role in identifying and supporting children under five. Participants will learn why young children are often missed and gain practical strategies for partnering with Head Start, Early Intervention, Pre-K Counts, child care, home visiting, and other early childhood programs to improve identification, referrals, and access to services.
Registration forthcoming.
Meet Our Presenter
Tracy Duarte is the Director of the Pennsylvania Head Start State Collaboration Office (PA HSCO), where she leads statewide efforts to strengthen partnerships among Head Start, state agencies, and community organizations serving young children and families. With more than 30 years of experience in early childhood education and systems building, she is recognized for her leadership in cross-sector collaboration, particularly at the intersection of early childhood, homelessness, housing, and public policy.
A nationally recognized expert on early childhood homelessness, Tracy leads Pennsylvania’s Thrive From the Start initiative, a statewide effort to improve identification and support for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers experiencing homelessness and housing instability. She regularly presents at state and national conferences on early childhood homelessness, Head Start partnerships, and cross-system collaboration, helping policymakers and practitioners strengthen services for young children and families experiencing adversity.
Before joining the Pennsylvania Head Start State Collaboration Office, Tracy directed an Early Head Start program and served as Pennsylvania’s State-Based Infant/Toddler Specialist with ZERO TO THREE, providing statewide leadership in infant and toddler policy and program quality.