Homelessness in tHe United states:

tHe CHildren

Zatambra JonesdoCtor of edUCation Candidate: early CHildHood

dr. Cassandra bosier

introdUCtion

Currently in the United States the number of students who experience homelessness have increased rapidly in urban,

suburban, and rural school districts. Regardless of the critical state, there is a absence of research of the diverse effects on students.

How best can schools and communities serve our children?

area Key Professional & CommUnity organiZations

Liberty House of Albany

Faith Community Outreach Center, Inc.

United Way

Goodwill Resource & Job Center

Boys & Girls Club

YMCA 21st Century Program

Department of Housing and Urban Development

Albany Georgia - HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agency

MYTHS FACTSCharitable organizations will take care of the homeless. The needs have outgrown the capacity of charitable groups. It

is a societal problem that requires collaborations between private charities and government, with active public support(Source: 2014 Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness)

Most homeless people are single men. Families are the fastest growing population of homeless Families with children make up 41% of the homeless 1 out of 4 homeless people in the US is a child

The majority of Homeless are adults who have made bad

choices and are reaping the consequences. The average age of a homeless person is 9 years old. In one year 1.35 million children will experience

homelessness Georgia ranks 49th out of 50 states in child homelessness.

60,000 Georgia children experience homelessness each year.

(Source: Rainbow Village, 2012)

There are no homeless students in my classroom, I do not live in the big city.

Since the onset of the economic recession, rates of student homelessness have increased rapidly in urban, suburban, and rural school districts throughout the United States(Miller, 2011).

ASSuMpTionS vS. FACTS

EFFECTS & inFluEnCES oF HoMElESSnESS on CHildrEn

⅕ of homeless children are separated from their immediate family at some point

83% of homeless children are exposed to at least one serious violent event by the age of 12

4 times more likely to show delayed development

2 times more as likely to have learning disabilities

Experience more serious food insecurity

A higher proportion of homeless children experience mental disorders

Experience more disruptive behavior disorders,

More likely to experience social phobia,

More likely to have major depression as compared to their low-income housed counterparts

rElATionSHip Building STrATEgiES

Fostering resilience in Homeless cHildren

lessons learnedChildren who experience homelessness are at a high risk of negative outcomes in

multiple domains, but …

I CANProvide them with a sense of belongingLink them and their families with supports to assist through their experienceKeep in contact with parents or guardiansKnow the provisions of the McKinney-Vento ActKeep in contact with the district liaisonEnsure the student has access to supplies or materials needed for assignmentsAssign a buddy

“Create an atmosphere of community in the classroom in which all students’

feelings and situations are accepted and stigmatization is out of the question.” (Dill, 2010)

ReferencesDill, V. S. (2010). Students without homes. Educational Leadership, 68(3), 43-47.

Kilmer, R. P., Cook, J. R., Crusto, C., Strater, K. P., & Haber, M. G. (2012). Understanding the ecology and development of children and families experiencing homelessness: implications for practice, supportive services, and policy. American journal of orthopsychiatry, 82(3), 389.

Masten, AS. Children who overcome adversity to succeed in life. Just in Time Research: Resilient Communities. 2000. http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/familydevelopment/components/7565_06.html.

Moore, T., & McArthur, M. (2011). ‘Good for kids’: Children who have been homeless talk about school. Australian Journal of Education, 55(2), 147-160.

National Center for Homeless Education http://www.serve.org/nche

ReferencesDill, V. S. (2010). Students without homes. Educational Leadership, 68(3), 43-47.

Kilmer, R. P., Cook, J. R., Crusto, C., Strater, K. P., & Haber, M. G. (2012). Understanding the ecology and development of children and families experiencing homelessness: implications for practice, supportive services, and policy. American journal of orthopsychiatry, 82(3), 389.

Masten, AS. Children who overcome adversity to succeed in life. Just in Time Research: Resilient Communities. 2000. http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/familydevelopment/components/7565_06.html.

Moore, T., & McArthur, M. (2011). ‘Good for kids’: Children who have been homeless talk about school. Australian Journal of Education, 55(2), 147-160.

National Center for Homeless Education http://www.serve.org/nche