BY ANNE REN ELSBREE, PH.

D
How to Support Youth At Risk
of or who are Homeless
Homelessness Definition
Lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime
residence:
Doubled-up (living with others due to loss of housing or
economic hardship not by choice)
Motels, hotels, campgrounds (lack of alternative)
Emergency or transitional shelters
Awaiting foster care placement
Public or private place not designed for human living
Cars, parks, abandoned buildings, substandard housing
bus/train stations
Migrant children fitting the definition
U.S. McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act - Sec 725(2)
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
Originally authorized in 1987
Reauthorized in 2001 as Title X, Part C of NCLB
Provides stability, access, and support for academic
success for homeless children and youth, including
preschool-aged children
Homeless Epidemic
Children are the fastest-growing segment of the
homeless population
3.5 million people will experience homelessness each
year; 1.4 million of these will be children
More than 85% of homeless families are headed by
single mothers
40% of homeless children living in shelters are under
the age of 5
Approximately 20,000-25,000 youth in California
Over a five-year period, about 3 percent of the US
population will experience at least one night of
homelessness.

Some Causes of Homelessness
Lack of Affordable Housing
Housing = 30% of income
Declining Value of Public Assistance
Unemployment
< 25% earn less that $10 an hour
Domestic Violence
Serious Illness
Mental Health Issues
Addiction

Unaccompanied Youth
= Youth not in the custody of a guardian

Primary Causes of youth homelessness
Physical or sexual abuse in the home
Neglect
Parental Substance Abuse
Family Conflict
For some include LGBTQ identity
Homeless children have more problems in the
classroom:
They have 4 times the rate of developmental delays.
14% are diagnosed with learning disabilities - Twice
the rate of others.
Suffer from emotional and behavioral problems at
almost 3 times the rate of other children.
Stress of Homelessness
The stress of homeless life frequently causes high
levels of depression, anxiety and low self-esteem.
Many children deal with these emotional states by
engaging in either aggressive or withdrawn behavior.
Truancy, hyperactivity, dependent behaviors, or
underachievement, may become pronounced. Lack of
nutrition and lack of sleep often result in cognitive
difficulties for learning.
Suicidal feelings are common among children over 5
years of age (Rosenman and Stein, 1990).
Feelings of shame or embarrassment usually
accompany homelessness.
Challenges for Students
School Attendance
> 20% do not attend school
> 40% will attend 2 schools in one year
Almost 30 % will attend 3 schools in one year
Struggle to make friends and belong
Transportation
Resources - school supplies, clothing, health care
Homework - lack a place and support to do HW
Nutrition
Lack of guiding adult
Strategies to Support Students
Designated District Personnel
Title 1 Supports
Teachers - You are the best support!

Every LEA (school district) must designate a local
homeless education liaison.
Responsibilities:
Ensure that homeless children and youth are identified
Ensure that homeless students enroll in and have full and
equal opportunity to succeed in school
Post public notice of educational rights
Arrange services and transportation
Resolve disputes
Coordinate and collaborate with agencies
Environment Adaptations
Assign a buddy to help the student acclimate to new
classroom and school.
Avoid competitive classroom environment with winners
and losers.
Provide in school and after school activities that are designed
to increase self-esteem and relationship with peers.
Encourage active participation.
Give students special jobs within the classroom.
Establish an appropriate for children to rest.
Provide stable environment for the child.
Have a clothes closet for emergencies and arrange with
community agencies to provide appropriate clothing.
Content Adaptations
Set clear goals that are specific and challenging
but not overly difficult.
Maintain childs privacy discussing homework
and assignments away from classmates.
Provide school supplies
Books, paper, pencil/pen at school
Clipboard as a portable desk for home
Provide English Language services, special
education, vocation, gift and talented programs.
Process Adaptations
Recognize and capitalize on students talents and
accomplishments .
Promote cooperative activities.
Contact parent/guardians for insight into social
and home life.
Offer encouragement and understanding.
Set up before and after school study time for
student to complete assignments.
Assessment Adaptations
Allow for extensions to complete assignments.
Allow student to complete HW in the classroom.
Expect and unobtrusively monitor regressions.
Dont assume students know how to do activities.
Allow for projects that can be broken into small
components to ensure success.
Dont penalize students for things that are out of
their control.
Use appropriate assessments to make classroom
placements.

Resources
National Association for the Education of Homeless
Children and Youth (NAEHCY) http://www.naehcy.org/
www.naehcy.org
National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE)
http://www.serve.org/NCHE/m-v.php
www.serve.org/nche
National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty
(NLCHP) http://www.nlchp.org/
www.nlchp.org
Unlocking Potential! What Educators Need to Know About
Homelessness and Special Education 2003

Transformative Action
What steps can you take to support students at risk
of being or are homeless?
Make a list to add to your classroom management
journal