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What we know: 3.5 million are homeless 1.4 million are children 1 in 50 children in US are homeless They are one of the most marginalized and victimized groups. . Homelessness is a pervasive problem among youth. Homeless children can be hard to identify and even harder to help.
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What we know: • 3.5 million are homeless • 1.4 million are children • 1 in 50 children in US are homeless • They are one of the most marginalized and victimized groups.
Homelessness is a pervasive problem among youth. • Homeless children can be hard to identify and even harder to help. • Families with children are the fastest growing group of homeless persons in the United States.
We know: • Basic Needs are often unmet which leads to homelessness. • This is one of the most vulnerable populations facing the United States. • These children havebeen reported to display academic and emotionalproblems and poor social skills.
Basic Needs: • Food & Water • Shelter • Medical & Mental Health Services • Children who are homeless are at risk for health problems because they seldom receive routine care. • Educational & Counseling Services
Basic Needs: • Basic life skills are activities of daily living, eating, grooming, meal preparation and community skills; transportation, time management, safety. • Families who are homeless are more likely to lose welfare benefits and are less likely to receive food stamps than families living in poverty who have permanent residences.
A Starting Point: • Food, shelter and a stable environment is the goal. • Educators must help children access their basic needs within the school environment, including clothes, school supplies, and snacks. • Families who are homeless lack financial and personal resources, which often leaves the children with feelings of being stigmatized.
Inspire: This book is a great read for elementary children about a homeless man in need.
“ Joe smelled kind of funny. He was a little bit weird. He wore trash can shoes, had a scraggly beard. He’d talk to the pigeons in front of Dad’s store. I often wondered what he was sitting there for”.
The Reality: • Teachers and schools are on the front line • 50% jump between 2006-2008 • Teachers and schools are not prepared for these highly mobile students • Impacts learning and 3x more likely to be labeled special education needs. • A high risk of suicide and sexual exploitation
The Impacts: • Economically, change costs money and most of the funding is from taxpayer’s dollars or private donations. • The economic recession and the historic highs of foreclosures have led to voucher cuts by 100,000 and cut in grants for housing and community development. (Conley, 2010)
The Change: • President Obama is looking to reverse some of the funding trends. Budget plan 2010 – restore and develop housing and voucher programs. • A “reinterpretation” trend designed to revert individuals as the root of the problem and base it on structural factors. • $62 million dollars earmarked nationally for 52 homeless and youth grants to accommodate the school systems (US dept of ED)
