This seminal work on homeless students and our responsibility to them provides far-reaching research, effective intervention programs, and guidelines for teaching homeless students.

The seminal work on homeless students and our responsibility to educate them Homelessness Comes to School provides substantial and far-reaching research that describes the plight of homeless children, the legal framework surrounding the issue, and ways to work together toward a solution. The text also outlines effective intervention programs and includes specific guidelines for teaching homeless students. Topics covered include: A history of homelessness, including its demographic patterns, causes, and impact on society The various programs schools have implemented to address the problem How schools, parents, and external community agencies can work together to educate homeless students

There are over 1.5 million homeless students in U.S. schools, a number expected to rise as a result of Covid-19. Research on this population has existed since the 1980s, but most teachers are unaware of the unique needs of these highly vulnerable students or the laws that exist to protect them. Although they primarily need housing, students experiencing homelessness also need responsive school environments. In language accessible to busy practitioners, this book presents research on homelessness as it impacts children in school and lays out for teachers what is known, and as yet unknown, about how best to serve these students in K-12 and as they prepare for what comes next. Perfect for courses that aim to provide pre-service teachers with proven strategies for reaching underserved student populations.

“Quint has done a valuable service in describing one effort to make school a good place for kids who live on the dangerous margin of society.” —The Washington Post

Featuring vignettes of students experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity, this book offers readers research-based, practical guidance for creating and implementing a plan of action to address these issues within their local context. Topics include trauma-informed frameworks, policies affecting homelessness and housing insecurity, transitioning students to college, supporting college retention, collaborations and partnerships, and life after college. This practical resource can be used as a professional development tool for student affairs, academic affairs, health and wellness centers, and other campus-based support services. “Provides context, but it also offers tangible suggestions for how you can develop or expand your philosophical, practical, and political efforts to address the needs of students.” —From the Foreword by Timothy P. White, chancellor of The California State University “These skilled authors provide invaluable insights into homelessness and guidance for how we can respond. This is important work that should be shared throughout higher education!” —Peter Miller, University of Wisconsin–Madison “This is a must-read for higher education professionals who want to support students affected by issues of housing insecurity and homelessness.” —Robert D. Reason, Iowa State University “This book not only enlightens leaders but also helps campuses to develop meaningful action plans through local evaluation and planning.” —Adrianna Kezar, University of Southern California

Schools and districts are seeing unprecedented numbers of students and families living without residential stability. Although the McKinney-Vento Act has been around for over two decades, many district- and site-level practitioners have a difficult time interpreting and implementing the Acts mandates within their local contexts. This book provides much-needed guidance to help educational leaders support students who are homeless and highly mobile students who face significant barriers related to access and academic success. The authors employ several different strategies to help translate complex state and federal policies into effective practices. They include policy analysis, examples of successful approaches, tools for training staff, youth experiences, and address the role of school districts in serving marginalized students. Serving Students Who Are Homeless can be used as a professional development tool at the local and district level, and as a textbook in higher education settings that prepare entry-level and advanced-credential administrators, counselors, school psychologists, and curriculum leaders.

Schools and districts are seeing unprecedented numbers of students and families living without residential stability. Although the McKinney-Vento Act has been around for over two decades, many district- and site-level practitioners have a difficult time interpreting and implementing the Act’s mandates within their local contexts. This book provides much-needed guidance to help educational leaders support students who are homeless and highly mobile students who face significant barriers related to access and academic success. The authors employ several different strategies to help translate complex state and federal policies into effective practices. They include policy analysis, examples of successful approaches, tools for training staff, youth experiences, and address the role of school districts in serving marginalized students. Serving Students Who Are Homeless can be used as a professional development tool at the local and district level, and as a textbook in higher education settings that prepare entry-level and advanced-credential administrators, counselors, school psychologists, and curriculum leaders. Book Features: Guidance for understanding and implementing the law and tools for training staff. Case studies that include the voices of students, families, and practitioners. Questions and activities to facilitate professional development discussions. “I have worked in this realm for more than a decade and, sadly, the numbers of homeless families and children continue to rise. The information and strategies identified within the pages of this book will prove to be an invaluable resource to the work of counselors, school personnel, teachers, administrators, and advocates for homeless students.” —Melissa Schoonmaker, Los Angeles County Office of Education “Homelessness brings an array of daunting challenges to students, families, and schools. As more and more communities are experiencing these challenges throughout the US, Dr. Hallett and Dr. Skrla have skillfully developed a critical new resource that can help those in most need. I admire their work!” —Peter Miller, University of Wisconsin–Madison

Schools are facing increasing numbers of homeless students and school social workers and other related professionals are often at the front line of addressing the negative impact homelessness brings to individual students and the school overall. School social workers and other school-based personnel must contend with a myriad of policies and other factors related to homelessness to help students obtain an education. School-based Practice with Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness is one of the first books to focus on this topic in the context of our social work practice. This book guides practitioners through the conceptualization of homelessness, how experiencing homelessness impacts the children we serve, the policies that govern us, and finally a practice perspective. Written with practitioners in mind, School-based Practice with Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness is loaded with case studies and practice examples and is an accessible handbook to addressing homelessness in our schools.

This publication summarizes issues relating to the education of homeless children and youth and reviews programs that are effective in the delivery of educational services to this population. The report is comprised of five sections. The first section, "Introduction," surveys factors contributing to homelessness and indicates the special needs of young people who are homeless. The second section, "Problems in Educating Homeless Children and Youth," examines the following situations: (1) legal barriers, including residency requirements and guardianship requirements; (2) financial constraints, including family-related financial problems and school-related financial problems; (3) institutional impediments, including lack of records, placement in inappropriate programs, lack of coordination, and educational performance problems; and (4) social and psychological concerns, including stress, social acceptance, and self-esteem. The third section, "Federal Legislation for the Homeless," describes provisions of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act for homeless education. The fourth section, "Programs that Work," describes transitional programs in Tacoma (Washington), Salt Lake City (Utah), and San Diego (California), and mainstreamed programs in Venice (California), and New York City. The fifth section, "Breaking the Cycle of Homelessness," restates the need for more innovative educational programs along with economic, domestic, and other changes. A list of 19 references is appended. (AF)

Students experiencing homelessness often face overwhelming obstacles that limit both their access to education and their prospects for success in life. The McKinney-Vento Act (1987) was created to ensure that schools provide services that support students in unstable housing situations but, unfortunately, effective implementation of important provisions continues to be elusive. In addition, adults charged with McKinney-Vento implementation in schools voice frustration with overload and lack of support or consistent resources. Through interviews with youth experiencing homelessness, Aviles de Bradley introduces readers to their remarkable resilience under fire and their determination to thrive despite the systemic inequities they encounter daily. The book also explores how poor people of colour experience and interface with social institutions, namely schools, and uncovers important connections between homelessness and racism using a Critical Race Theory framework. Readers are challenged to see McKinney-Vento implementation not as charity, but as an issue of legislated social justice and to work towards educational equity for students experiencing homelessness.