ERIC ED574572: Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness: An Introduction to the Issues. McKinney-Vento Law into Practice Brief Series

2014·0.72 MB·English

by  ERIC

National Center for Homeless Education
Supporting the Education of Children and
Youth Experiencing Homelessness
www.serve.org/nche
McKinney-Vento Law Into Practice Brief Series
Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness: An Introduction to the Issues
Introduction
Who is homeless?
The word homeless typically does not bring to mind images Subtitle VII-B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless
of children and youth, but the reality is many homeless Assistance Act (as reauthorized by Title X, Part C
of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as
people are under the age of 18. Some of them are a part
amended)
of families experiencing homelessness, while others are on
The term “homeless children and youth”—
their own, despite their young age. The McKinney-Vento
Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. § 11431 et seq.) is a A. means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and
federal law that addresses the needs of homeless people, adequate nighttime residence…; and
including the educational needs of children and youth. This B. includes —
brief provides basic information about the scope of the
2. children and youths who are sharing the
problem, the impact of homelessness on education, and the housing of other persons due to loss of
rights of children and youth to a public education. Briefs housing, economic hardship, or a similar
on additional homeless education topics are available at reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer
parks, or camping grounds due to the lack
http://center.serve.org/nche/briefs.php.
of alternative adequate accommodations;
are living in emergency or transitional
shelters; are abandoned in hospitals; or are
How many children and youth awaiting foster care placement;
experience homelessness?
3. children and youths who have a primary
nighttime residence that is a public or
private place not designed for or ordinarily
Rates of homelessness in the United States among children used as a regular sleeping accommodation
and youth are higher today than at any point since data has for human beings…
been collected on homelessness. Each year, public schools 4. children and youths who are living in cars,
across the nation report the number of students identified parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings,
as homeless to the U.S. Department of Education. Over substandard housing, bus or train stations,
or similar settings; and
the course of the 2011-2012 school year, schools identified
5. migratory children who qualify as homeless
for the purposes of this subtitle because
the children are living in circumstances
described in clauses (i) through (iii).
1,168,354 children and youth as homeless. adequate housing, nearly 60,000 unaccompanied
During that same school year, 43 states reported youth qualified as homeless during the 2011-
an increase in the number of children and youth 2012 school year (NCHE, 2013).
who experienced homelessness during the year
(National Center for Homeless Education
Why do people become homeless?
[NCHE], 2013).
Considering the myths and stereotypes
Who is homeless?
that persist regarding people experiencing
homelessness, it is important to understand
Schools use the definition of homeless provided in some of the factors that can cause people to lose
section 11434a of the McKinney-Vento Act. It their homes. Homelessness is often thought of
states that any person who lacks a fixed, regular, as something that only happens to people with
and adequate nighttime residence is homeless. particular traits, habits, or economic standing,
While the law mandates the criteria of fixed, but it impacts people from all backgrounds.
regular, and adequate to assess housing, it also Consider the following:
provides several examples of homelessness.
Sharing the housing of others due to loss of How affordable is the housing in your
housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason community?
is the most common form of homelessness
The United States is experiencing an affordable
experienced by school-age children in the
housing crisis. For housing to be considered
United States, with 75% of all homeless children
affordable, the cost of the housing must consume
living in doubled-up conditions (NCHE, 2013).
30% or less of the household’s income. Currently,
Staying in emergency, family, domestic violence,
a single income household earning minimum
and transitional living shelters is the next most
wage cannot afford the local fair-market rent
common type of homelessness experienced by
for a two bedroom apartment in any state in
students. When faced with homelessness, some
the country. In addition, the U.S. Department
families are able to stay in hotels or motels;
of Housing and Urban Development (n.d.)
living in a hotel or motel due to the lack of
estimates that roughly 12 million households,
alternative adequate accommodations is the third
both those that rent and those that own their
most common type of homelessness reported by
homes, are paying more than 50% of their
public schools. Many children and youth also
annual income for housing. Allocating higher
live in unsheltered situations, which can include
levels of income to housing leaves families with
campgrounds or public places not meant for
limited or no resources to deal with financial
housing, such as parks, bus or train stations, and
crises and can often lead to homelessness.
condemned or abandoned buildings. Unsheltered
homeless children and youth accounted for
Could your job be eliminated due to cutbacks or a
more than 41,000 students identified by schools
changing job market?
during the 2011-2012 school year (NCHE,
2013). It is no surprise that a financial crisis, like
the loss of a job, can leave a family homeless.
In addition to providing a definition of homeless,
During the Great Recession, which spanned
the McKinney-Vento Act defines unaccompanied
between December 2007 and early 2010, more
youth as youth who are "not in the physical
than 8.7 million jobs were lost in the United
custody of a parent or guardian" [42 U.S.C.
States. While the economy has seen decided
§ 11434a(6)]. Unaccompanied youth make
job growth, more than 1.1 million jobs have
up a much larger segment of the homeless
yet to be recovered, leaving many without
population than many people realize. While not
work. Long-term unemployment presents a
all unaccompanied youth lack fixed, regular, and
Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness: An Introduction to the Issues 2
significant problem as well; nearly two-fifths can lead to housing crises as well. During the
of people without a job during December 2013 peak of the Great Recession, gasoline prices
fell into this category (Center on Budget and climbed significantly. Rising food costs provide
Policy Priorities, n.d.) As unemployment rates another example of a basic commodity that
increased, so did foreclosure rates. More than can significantly impact households. During
4.4 million foreclosures occurred during and the recent economic decline, the number of
in the wake of the Great Recession. Renters households reporting an inability to provide food
and homeowners alike have been impacted as for all members of the household increased, and
landlords also lost their properties. The National households with children struggled to provide
Low Income Housing Coalition (n.d.) estimates food for their families at greater rates than
that renters make up as many as 40% of the those without children (U.S. Department of
households facing foreclosure. Agriculture, n.d.)
Do you have enough financial resources to Could you ever experience a flood, fire, tornado,
support you and your family if one of you suffers storm, or other natural disaster?
from a serious illness or accident?
Natural disasters often strike with little to no
Illnesses and healthcare expenses can deplete warning and can devastate a community. Since
family resources; as much as 62% of all personal 1980, the United States experienced 144 natural
bankruptcies are related to healthcare costs disasters with damages totaling $1 billion or
(Himmlestein, Thorne, Warren, & Woolhandler, more (National Weather Service, n.d.) While
2009b). In the majority of bankruptcy cases this immediately brings to mind the often
linked to healthcare expenses, the families owned catastrophic impact of hurricanes, the interior
homes, included members who had attended of the country has not escaped the impact of
college, and had middle-class incomes prior to natural disasters. Floods, fires, tornadoes, and
their crises (Himmelstein, Thorne, Warren, & winter storms have all caused significant damage
Woolhandler, 2009a). to homes across the country.
Have you or has anyone close to you ever
Has your family ever experienced significant
struggled to make ends meet?
changes, challenges, or stressors that felt
overwhelming?
Rising costs of basic household commodities
Significant family discord, often developing over
a long period of time, is a commonly cited reason
Potential Warning Signs of Homelessness for why youth are separated from their families.
Furthermore, youth who experience abuse,
Possible warning signs of homelessness among including verbal, physical, and sexual abuse, are
more likely to run away from home (Benoit-
school-age children and youth include:
Bryan, 2013). Conversely, sometimes the issue
• a lack of educational continuity;
is simply a housing problem and not one related
• school attendance and transportation problems;
to family function; when families are forced to
• poor health and nutrition;
double-up with others, the housing may not be
• poor hygiene;
able to accommodate the entire family. These
• lack of privacy and personal space after school;
and other threats to family stability can often
• social and behavioral concerns; and
lead to youth homelessness. Nearly half of
• reactions or statements by the parent, guardian,
unaccompanied youth were forced out of their
child, or youth.
homes and another 22% described the reason
they left home as a combination of having been
For more information, visit http://center.serve.org/
thrown out and having run away (Benoit-Bryan,
nche/nche/warning.html.
2013).
Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness: An Introduction to the Issues 3
What is the McKinney-Vento Act
• receive transportation to and from the
and how does it help?
school of origin, if requested by the parent,
guardian, or unaccompanied youth;
• receive educational services comparable to
During the 1980s, the magnitude and impact
those provided to other students, according
of homelessness on all segments of society
to the student’s need; and
became pronounced. Increasing homelessness
• not be stigmatized or segregated on the basis
among families with children and youth became
of homeless status.
particularly concerning as more was learned
about the problems students face when juggling
homelessness and academic demands. For Why is school important to homeless
example, students experiencing homelessness children and youth?
often change schools frequently. This can
impact learning as students must adjust to new
environments, new curricula, and new teachers While students experience instability in their
and classmates, while still learning the same home lives due to homelessness, school is often a
information other students are expected to place of safety and security. Research has shown
master. The loss of a home can be traumatic, that no common set of characteristics describes
leaving children and youth with tumultuous the typical homeless student, but all students
feelings that can impact their social and do need a sense of belonging, a consistent and
intellectual wellbeing. Limited access to food, caring environment, and the security of an
medical care, and basic school supplies can also organized and predictable classroom and school
impact performance in the classroom. schedule to succeed (Moore, 2013). School also
provides basics that the students may not have at
The McKinney-Vento Act addresses educational
home, like breakfast and lunch.
challenges created by homelessness and
guarantees homeless students the right to enroll, As schools continue to increase their focus on
attend, and succeed in school. The law places producing college- and career-ready graduates,
the responsibility for guaranteeing the rights of education also becomes an increasingly
homeless students on states and school districts. clear path out of homelessness for students.
McKinney-Vento eligible students have the right Despite the significant challenges created by
to: homelessness that make getting an education
difficult, students often cite the desire for a
• enroll in school immediately, even if
better life as the reason why they continue to
lacking documents normally required for
work toward graduation.
enrollment;
• enroll in school and attend classes while the Through it all, school is probably the only
school gathers needed documents; thing that has kept me going. I know that
• enroll in the local attendance area school every day that I walk in those doors, I can
or continue attending their school of origin stop thinking about my problems for the
(the school they attended when permanently next six hours and concentrate on what is
housed or the school in which they were last most important to me. Without the support
enrolled), if that is the parent’s, guardian’s, of my school system, I would not be as well
or unaccompanied youth’s preference and is off as I am today. School keeps me motivated
feasible;1 to move on, and encourages me to find a
better life for myself.
1 If the school district believes the school selected is not in the
student’s best interest, then the district must provide the parent, Former Homeless Student
guardian, or unaccompanied youth with a written explanation of its and LeTendre Scholar
position and inform him/her of the right to appeal its decision. For
more information, download NCHE’s Dispute Resolution brief at
http://center.serve.org/nche/briefs.php.
Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness: An Introduction to the Issues 4
What resources are available to help References
homeless students?
Benoit-Bryan, J. (2013). National Runaway Safeline’s
2013 reporter’s source book on runaway and
• Every public school district has a local
homeless youth. Retrieved from http://
homeless education liaison to help identify,
www.1800runaway.org/assets/1/7/2013_
enroll, and support the education of students
Media_Source_Book.pdf
experiencing homelessness. To find your
local liaison, contact your school district’s Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. (n.d.). Chart
book: The legacy of the Great Recession. Retrieved
central office or your State Coordinator for
from http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.
Homeless Education.
cfm?fa=view&id=3252
• Every state has a State Coordinator, much
Himmelstein, D.U., Thorne, D., Warren, E., &
like every school district has a local liaison.
Woolhandler, S. (2009a). Medical bankruptcy
To reach your State Coordinator, visit fact sheet. Retrieved from http://www.
NCHE’s website at http://center.serve.org/ pnhp.org/sites/default/files/docs/Medical-
nche/states/state_resources.php. Bankruptcy-Q-and-A.pdf
• NCHE provides assistance through a Himmelstein, D.U., Thorne, D., Warren, E., &
Woolhandler, S. (2009b). Medical bankruptcy
comprehensive website that includes a
in the United States, 2007: Results of a
variety of materials, monthly webinars on
national study. The American Journal of
various topics related to homelessness and
Medicine, 122, 741-746.
education, and a national Helpline. To learn
more or get assistance, visit the website at Moore, J. (2013). Research summary: Teaching and
classroom strategies for homeless and highly mobile
http://center.serve.org/nche/index.php or
students. Greensboro: University of North
contact the Helpline at [phone] or
Carolina, National Center for Homeless
[email protected].
Education.
• NCHE's Homeless Liaison Toolkit is a
National Center for Homeless Education. (2013).
comprehensive homeless education resource Education for Homeless Children and Youths
that will assist new and veteran local liaisons Program: Analysis of 2011-2012 federal data
in carrying out their responsibilities. Chapter collection and three-year comparison. Retrieved
from http://center.serve.org/nche/downloads/
17 - Additional Resources includes links to
data-comp-0910-1112.pdf
a wealth of information and expertise that
can help increase practitioners' capacity to National Low Income Housing Coalition. (n.d.). About
serve homeless children and youth. While the PTFA. Retrieved from http://nlihc.org/
the Toolkit targets local liaisons, information issues/foreclosure/ptfa
included will help anyone interested in
National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office.
learning more about homeless education.
(n.d.). Climate feature: NCDC billion
Visit http://center.serve.org/nche/pr/ dollar disasters. Retrieved from http://
liaison_toolkit.php to download the Toolkit www.srh.noaa.gov/abq/?n=clifeature_
as a whole or by chapter, as needed. ncdcbilliondollardisasters
U.S. Department of Agriculture. (n.d.). Food security in
the U.S.: Key statistics and graphs. Retrieved
from http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-
nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/
key-statistics-graphics.aspx#.Utlfsfso7IW
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
(n.d.). Affordable housing. Retrieved from
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/
program_offices/comm_planning/
affordablehousing/
Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness: An Introduction to the Issues 5
This brief was developed by:
National Center for Homeless Education
800-308-2145 (Toll-free Helpline)
http://www.serve.org/nche
Updated Winter 2014
NCHE is supported by the U.S. Department of Education Student Achievement and
School Accountability Programs. The contents of this brief were developed under a grant
from the U.S. Department of Education. However, these contents do not necessarily
represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume
endorsement by the Federal Government.
Every state is required to have a State Coordinator for Homeless Education, and
every school district is required to have a local homeless education liaison. These
individuals will assist you with the implementation of the McKinney-Vento Act. To
find out who your State Coordinator is, visit the NCHE website
at http://www.serve.org/nche/states/state_resources.php.
For more information on the McKinney-Vento Act and resources
for implementation, call the NCHE Helpline at 800-308-2145 or
e-mail [email protected].
Local Contact Information:
Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness: An Introduction to the Issues