How to Help Homeless Students.

   In the state of Illinois there are 50,949 students whom are considered homeless, 5,166 of those students are unaccompanied youth, meaning they are without an adult. With such a large number of homeless school aged children, you are very likely to have children in your school and/or class that are homeless. Having the tools and understanding as to how to effectively teach these students is very important.

      Children who do not have stability in home life are more vulnerable to high risk-factors. Homeless children are more susceptible to health problems, with a lack of access to dental and medical care. Poverty amount homeless families contribute to the possibility to a lake of nutrition, students may come to school hungry because they most likely have not eaten yet that day. A quarter of homeless children have witnessed for experienced violence, which can cause more than half to have problems with anxiety and depression. Symptoms of hyperactivity/inattention, as well as behavior problems are more prevalent among homeless youth. While considering Maslow's higher achy of needs in the development of children, those that are homeless are not getting basic needs of food, shelter, clothing and safety met, making it more difficult for the child to a achieve self-realization.

       Here are some ways to help students who are homeless in your classroom:

• Have a set routine while the student is in school.
• Don't bring special attention to the fact that they are homeless in front of others.
• Ensure that the homeless student is enrolled in free and reduced price meal program.
• Offer tools to complete any required tasks. Supplies may not be readily available for the child.
• Keep a supply of nutritional snacks in your classroom.
• Assist other students in being sensitive to stereotypes of homeless people.

    Schools play a large role in helping to end youth homelessness, it is required by both state and federal law the school districts provide help and support for homeless students and their families. This may include education for ALL students, helping to transport students too and from school, provide access to healthcare as well as removing any barriers to school attendance.

    This school principle went above and beyond for his students when he learned of some of the struggles his students were having that prevented them from attending school regularly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIrhR6TZphA

 

 

 

 

 

References

 

Hart-Shegos, E. (n.d.). Homelessness and its Effects on Children (pp. 1-12, Rep.) (A. Ray, Ed.).

Homeless. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/state.aspx?source=studentcharacteristics&source2=homeless&Stateid=IL

Homeless Children and Youth. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.childtrends.org/indicators/homeless-children-and-youth

Illinois Homelessness Statistics. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.usich.gov/homelessness-statistics/il/#XKeJKUDqLI0.email

Strategies for Teaching Highly Mobile Students. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.tolerance.org/magazine/strategies-for-teaching-highly-mobile-students

The National Coalition for the Homeless. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.nationalhomeless.org/