Back to school homeless
There are federal mandates and some stimulus funds, but not nearly enough to keep up with this heartbreaking problem.
According to a National Center on Family Homelessness (NCFH) Fact Sheet published in April 2008, there are more homeless women and children living in the U.S. than in any other industrialized nation. Even if you already knew that, it’s still shocking to read in a New York Times story by Erik Eckholm, “Surge in Homeless Children Strains School Districts,” that in spring 2009 more than 1 million American children were homeless.
The number is going up. Estimates are that the count of homeless children has risen by 75 to 100 percent over the past two years as a result of family job losses and mortgage foreclosures, and will continue to rise at accelerated rates.
The stresses of homelessness tell not only on the children and their parents, but also on schools. School districts financially strapped by the economic downturn and other factors lack resources to help a child who couldn’t do his homework before falling asleep alongside his parents in the family car the previous night, or who is continually shuttled from relatives’ homes to a room in a motel to a campground tent.
Under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, first voted into law in 2001, districts are required to take specific steps on behalf of children who become homeless. The purpose is to minimize interruptions of their schooling and cut red tape that could bar or delay their entrance into appropriate programs. McKinney-Vento has “closed destructive gaps in schooling,” say the sources Eckholm cites. But even with some Congressional funding to aid compliance, school districts already financially strapped by the recession and other factors are finding it harder to meet needs specified in the federal mandate as the numbers of homeless children increase.
It’s critical that schools be able to help these students. Homeless children are four times more likely than their more fortunate peers to be delayed in their development, says NCFH, adding: “Of children in grades 3-12 who are homeless and participated in state assessment tests, only 48 percent were proficient in reading and only 43 percent were proficient in math. 36 percent of homeless children repeat a grade.”
The federal McKinney-Vento Act specifies the steps that schools must take to give children some sense of continuity when family life has been shattered by homelessness. The children are to be allowed to enroll in a school immediately, even if their academic and immunization records have gone missing. A special staff liaison must ensure that their educational opportunities (access to tutors, free meals, before- and after-school programs, gifted programs, emergency supplies of essential equipment for doing schoolwork) equal those offered other students.
And if a family has moved to another district, the cost of transportation to the children’s school of origin from their new location must be covered so that disruptions of their lives can be lessened somewhat. Last winter two Nickelsville children, one an elementary school student and one a middle-schooler, were picked up by separate taxicabs in the University District every morning so that they could attend their schools on the Eastside, where their family had lived until they lost their housing.
President Obama allotted $70 million of his stimulus package to help U.S. school districts cover the special costs of educating homeless students according to federal law, and in August Washington state was awarded $1,298,061 in stimulus money for its 296 school districts. It’s a rise in funding over what Congress gave the state last year.
But if America’s Youngest Outcasts: State Report Card on Child Homelessness is accurate in its count of 24,038 homeless children living in Washington, this funding merely increases a per-pupil pittance from $36 per child to $54 per child. That's if the number of homeless children stays steady (which it won’t), and if 15-mile taxi rides between school and the family tent didn’t blast huge holes in such calculations to begin with.
How can children learn, if they don’t have a home where they can study, rest, keep a few favorite possessions safely nearby, and get a little comfort and encouragement from parents who have emotional reserves to draw on? In Eckholm’s wrenching Times article the strain on homeless children is intense; for example, on the 9-year-old who falls asleep in class because worry keeps her awake all night. Online audio clips of exhausted parents talking about the distresses of unemployment and homelessness are linked to the article.
The problem is sad and overwhelming. One defense against despair and rage is to pitch in and try to make a small difference. Here are some ways to help. The Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness buys backpacks filled with school supplies for homeless children age 3-18. SKCCH also gives clothing, shoes, and hygiene kits to students in urgent need of these items. One can donate here. Posted at Idealist.org is a notice that homeless children at Broadview Emergency Shelter need tutors. So do homeless kids at First Place School.
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Comments:
Posted Wed, Sep 9, 10:15 a.m. Inappropriate
Judy Lightfoot points to a critical issue, the need to direct more of our resources for homeless children. When I read her excellent article I was reminded of my experience with Charlie, a homeless man living in Seattle. I wrote about him last year in Crosscut. Charlie had much to say about how our society deals with those on the fringe of our world. Charlie was a binge alcoholic and lived in a tent under the freeway by choice. He wouldn't go to a shelter or live in an apartment if you gave it to him. He was very frank and surprisingly harsh in how he viewed others like himself. But his compassion and logic supported Judy’s position. Charlie’s opinion was to help kids before you spent money on drug users and alcoholics who had less chance of changing their lives. While the words aren’t exact, the following is a paraphrased opinion from Charlie.
“Well then,” I said, “what would you do?”
His response as usual was clear, sensible, and logical. He said simply, “put most of your money and resources in providing exceptional care and support for families with children. Decent lodgings, food, medical attention, education, training that leads to paying jobs.” Surprisingly he included time limits on accomplishing it. I asked why this choice, weren’t there other deserving people around whom, but for loss of a job or an illness found themselves on the street. His answer was clear. “ No child by choice wakes up in the morning under a bridge or in the back of a car and decides that’s what they want out of life. If we have limited resources then lets stop the downward spiral and get these families back on their feet.” He added, “if a few addicts remain in the gutter then so be it.”
Posted Fri, Sep 11, 1:42 p.m. Inappropriate
Judy,
I am so saddened to read about the homeless school children. I am and have been an advocate to end homelessness since the 1980’s when I started working with individuals with a mental illness. Housing was the key to many becoming well and integrating back into their communities. It is a travesty that anyone in this great country should be without shelter. As hard as we try to change this situation, it just keeps getting worse.
I have joined a group called “Girls Giving Back.” These women (and men) have made Hopelink’s shelter their project to paint and decorate apartments as they become available. Throughout the week these amazing people painted, cleaned and brought in lovely new furniture, pictures and toys so families who stay there can have a comfortable, clean and safe place to stay.
It is what I wake up for – the family who stays in this shelter apartment will find it welcoming for their children and them and will provide food, hope and, safety.
To learn more about “Girls Giving Back” visit their web site at www.girlsgivingback.org
Nancy Cole
Posted Fri, Sep 11, 6:03 p.m. Inappropriate
Nancy, thank you for adding information about some longer-term solutions for family homelessness than appear in the article.
Home-step provides sweat-equity housing and support for homeless families in Seattle (http://www.home-step.org/)
Hope-link provides housing for families and works to keep families in financial crisis from losing their housing (http://www.hope-link.org/gethelp/housing.
University Church Emergency Fund helps financially strapped families cover rent gaps to prevent eviction (http://ucefseattle.com/default.aspx).
Housing Hope is a great source of housing for families in Snohomish (http://www.housinghope.org/).
Posted Sun, Sep 13, 7:55 p.m. Inappropriate
Judy,
We must NOT miss the opportunity to help these children succeed! Just think how much we would learn to help all of our children be successful! Remember, for every child that visibly needs support there are many others who quietly close the door to their futures.
Saving just 2 children from one year of jail pays the salary of a full time teacher. We cannot afford to fail!
MathOnMonday
Posted Mon, Sep 14, 11:29 a.m. Inappropriate
As a former educator I know first hand what it is like to teach children who are homeless, undernourished and are lacking the proper amount of sleep. We have a moral obligation to our children. How can we, the richest country in the world, condone the lack of financial support for our greatest asset, our children?
-- N. J. Rogers
Posted Mon, Sep 14, 10:47 p.m. Inappropriate
OK, what are you all going to do, besides agree that Judy's article was great (it was) and that this situation is sad (it is)? Are you going to become advocates for families who are almost homeless, who are outright homeless? Are you going to talk with and write your city council, your mayor, your county executive and councilmembers, your state legislators and Governor, and your congressional representatives and President?
Because really, nothing less than that will have effect. Words are great; action is necessary. We don't have enough shelter, or transitional housing, and we don't have enough permanent affordable housing for families to go to when they time out of shelters and transitional housing. We don't have enough services to keep people alive until they get into housing.
Get started.
Posted Tue, Sep 15, 8:25 a.m. Inappropriate
Sarah, you're right about the need for committed advocacy and action. Do you know for a fact that people writing these comments AREN'T writing their elected officials and in other ways trying to change things? Shaming and chiding tends to shut people down. Let's cheer each other on!
Contact information for the King County Council, presently considering eliminating County general funds for human services in 2010 to balance their budget, is at http://kingcounty.gov/council/councilmembers.aspx (if each Councilmember gets a few emails, it can make a big difference). And/or attend one or more of the 4 County budget hearings this fall, all at 7PM: Oct 7 Bellevue City Chambers; Oct 13 Regional Justice Center; Oct 22 Redmond City Chambers; Oct 29 King County Courthouse Seattle.
Get the word out on voting Nov 3 to renew the Seattle Housing Levy - YES on Prop 1 - http://yesforhomes.org.
Help voters understand I-1033. "Think it'll save you money? Think again." Its proponents should be chanting "Sink Washington State with 1033!" http://no1033.com/
Posted Wed, Dec 2, 7:04 a.m. Inappropriate
Hi Judy,
As always, I appreciate your prespective on issues related to mental health. Raising awareness regarding mental illness in children has been overlooked. I am glad to see you begin discussion around this important issue.
If mental illness can be treated while a person is young, the chances of a successful adult life is more likely possible.
Keep up the good work.
Best,
Nancy
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