Comprehending Homelessness, Children, and Education

Thanks to the emailer for the links and research.

Dear Marlys,

We recently saw an email where you expressed some slight uncertainty over responsibility for homeless students.

"I have tried to comprehend Gloria's e-mails to you about the homeless kids and the school boards responsibility to them. Just to let you know I will never, never, ever be responsible for any child because I am a school board member."

We understand your concern. Many people who have a roof over their heads express similar feelings. Unfortunately, in these days of economic uncertainty, more and more families are facing homelessness.

We do not expect for you to personally provide Motel 6 like amenities, although the hot tub does sound like a Jim Dandy idea. Just imagine for a moment the happy squeals of joy from several children who have had almost nothing to laugh about for quite a long time now. Here is some information on what you or any other concerned private citizen can do to help.

The Bucks County Intermediate Unit also has some resources on homelessness and students. Perhaps the BCIU representative from the school board can help you.

As a school board member, you do have a teeny-tiny itsy-bitsy little bit of responsibility. The Pennsylvania Department of Education website has a site search tool.

Here's a bit from the Homeless Children's Education Fund webpage.

A 2008 estimate of homeless children and youth in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is approximately 30,000 (ages birth to 18). 50% are in elementary school, 26% in middle school, and 24% in high school. Pennsylvania ranks 6th nationwide in the number of children and youth identified as homeless (behind California, Florida, Michigan, New York and Texas).

Since a child often spends anywhere from a few days to a few months in a given center, many of the children counted in these surveys are forced to adapt to several different living spaces and schools each year. That exacts a terrible toll on a young mind and spirit.

What about the children's schooling?

Title VII of the McKinney-Vento Act, signed into law in July 1987, included authorization of the Education of Homeless Children and Youth Program. A fact sheet provided by the National Coalition for the Homeless (Fact Sheet #10, updated June 2008) includes a summary of amendments to the act. The critically important 1994 amendment "provided local educational authorities with greater flexibility in the use of funds; specified the rights of homeless preschoolers to a free and appropriate public preschool education; gave parents of homeless children and youth a voice regarding their children's school placement; and required educational authorities to coordinate with housing authorities."

* Children must be allowed to remain in the school they were attending before becoming homeless and for the entire time they are homeless, even if they move from place to place
* The school district must arrange transportation for children who choose to remain at their school of origin but have moved outside that school's boundaries
* Children must be enrolled without delay, even if they lack necessary documentation or immunization records
* Children cannot be segregated from peers solely because of their residential status
* School districts are mandated to hire/train a homeless liaison to coordinate services and ensure compliance with federal/state mandates

Links:
National Coalition for the Homeless
Bucks County Housing Group
Bucks County Homeless Shelters
Interfaith Housing Development Corporation of Bucks County