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District social worker outlines McKinney‑Vento supports as homeless identifications rise
Summary
District social worker Jen Waggle reviewed McKinney‑Vento definitions, local outreach and community partnerships, and said the district has recently increased its count of identified students from roughly 40 to about 50–60; she urged community donations for hygiene, clothing and winter-sponsorship programs.
Jen Waggle, the district social worker and homeless liaison, told the board that identifying and supporting students experiencing homelessness has been a primary focus and that the district is using McKinney‑Vento protections to keep students in school and connected to services.
"The McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law," Waggle said, briefly explaining the Act's intent to ensure children experiencing homelessness have equal access to education. She defined common categories the district uses to identify students — sharing housing because of economic hardship, living in motels or vehicles, or being unaccompanied youth.
Waggle told the board she presented data from the Pennsylvania state report for 2022–23 and said Adams County figures were presented as "a little over 4,000" in that report (as given during the presentation). She said the district reported 90 students in that year and that her more recent reporting moved from about 40 identified students to roughly 50–60 within the two weeks before the meeting, noting the count can grow quickly as identification improves.
Waggle described district supports and community partnerships: assistance registering students, referrals for SNAP and housing services, continuity of transportation under McKinney‑Vento when families move, hygiene and clothing closets, a partnership with Community Aid and Bruce Harvest food-bag distributions, SCAP (South Central Community Action Programs), Gettysburg Cares (a winter shelter coordinated through churches) and the Gettysburg Soup Kitchen. She also highlighted Warrior Winter Wishes, a holiday sponsorship program for grades 6–12, and suggested an upcoming poverty-simulation exercise to raise awareness.
On funding, Waggle said the district receives some state and regional funds and used COVID-era grant money for supplies such as backpacks and hot spots, but called hotspot/internet access an ongoing challenge for families living in motels. "We do get some money from the state ... I wouldn't say it's a tremendous amount," she said, adding that regional allocations vary.
Board members asked whether the district had academic data showing how identified students are progressing. Waggle said she did not bring comprehensive academic statistics but that staff and navigators regularly check in with students and that meeting basic needs typically helps students focus on school; she cited a recent success story of an unaccompanied youth who graduated and is now enrolled at Messiah College.
Waggle encouraged community donations and participation in hygiene and clothing drives and said next week's Homelessness Awareness Week (wear red on Friday, Nov. 15) would include staff donations and collection efforts. She said people who want to help can contact her for sponsorship or volunteer opportunities.
The board thanked Waggle for the presentation and the information on services and outreach.
