Casting a Wide Net to Support Young Children Experiencing Homelessness Presented by Patricia A. Popp, Ph.D. – The College of William and Mary November 10, 2015• VCPD Meeting

Who is considered homeless? How many children are there? Why is this important? Who is considered homeless? How many children are there? What can we do? For school-age siblings? For young children? For their families? Introduction Survey audience Have you served hcy Popp, Mondak, & Hayden, 2011

Risk Factors Housing Inconsistent and inadequate health care Inadequate nutrition Adolescent mothers Disrupted or limited family support Emotional stress or depression

Poverty & Special Needs “Poverty and its attendant stressors have the potential to shape the neurobiology of the developing child in powerful ways…” (Duncan, Ziol-guest, Kalil, 2010) Experiences build brain architecture Connections and pruning Jack Shonkoff Popp, Mondak, & Hayden, 2011

Homeless and Special Needs “Compared to middle class peers and low-income children who are housed, “young homeless children experience more developmental delays, emotional problems such as anxiety and depression, and behavior issues.” — Education Law Center, 2010

When children experience 6-7 risk factors, what is the chance of development delay? 25 – 50% 50 – 75% 75 – 85% 90 – 100% 90 – 100

Popp, 2014

Young Children and Homelessness Child Find, Part B & Part C Head Start VPI Child Care and Development Fund Plan

Who is considered homeless? Chat: When you hear the word homeless, what image comes to mind?

Who is homeless? McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act - ESEA, Title X, Part C Same definition referenced in IDEA 2004 Child Nutrition Act Head Start Act Higher Education Act Popp, Mondak, & Hayden, 2011

Defining homelessness An individual who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including children and youth: Sharing housing due to loss of housing or economic hardship Hotel/motel due to lack of adequate alternative Sheltered Unsheltered Popp, 2009 Popp, 2011

Fixed, Regular, and Adequate Fixed: Stationary, permanent, and not subject to change Regular: Used on a predictable, routine, or consistent basis (e.g. nightly) Adequate: Sufficient for meeting both the physical and psychological needs typically met in home environments Can the student go to the SAME PLACE (fixed) EVERY NIGHT (regular) to sleep in a SAFE AND SUFFICIENT SPACE (adequate)? Popp, 2014

Homeless or NOT Homeless Open to questions Homeless or NOT Homeless Check the box with the correct answer NOT Homeless Homeless In a shelter In a motel after an eviction Living with grandparents to save money for a house down payment In a motel while house is renovated Living with aunt following a foreclosure In an overcrowded trailer with 6 children

How many children?

Children Experiencing Homelessness One in 30 children (NCFH, 2014) 1,240,925 in SY 2012-2013 (USED, 2014) Families with young children are the fastest growing subgroup National Profile 2010 – one in 50 2011 – one in 45 Popp, Mondak, & Hayden, 2011

82% Increase

Virginia 2014-15 Initial Primary Nighttime Residence

Young Children Experiencing Homelessness Nationally > half of sheltered children were under age 6 Virginia (2014-15) 50% of children served by Emergency Solutions Grants were under age 5 452 enrolled in public PreK Popp, Mondak, & Hayden, 2011

Program Information Report Head Start PIR Data 2013-14 Total number of children experiencing homelessness that were served during the enrollment year National: 48,754, 4.6% Virginia: 854, 6%

Our Youngest 545 birth to 2 served by MV subgrants in 2014-15 Numbers from ITOTS (EI Data System) Environmental/Social Risk Factor – lack of adequate shelter: Request attention to this data point to help us identify the need Open for questions

What can WE do?

McKinney-Vento EHCY Requirements Appoint a local homeless education liaison in every school division For Virginia liaisons, visit: www.wm.edu/hope Many liaisons are familiar with the community resources these families may need in addition to their knowledge of the school system Kestner, 2014 Popp, 2009

EHCY Requirements (school age) Enroll students immediately in local school OR Maintain student enrollment in the school of origin when feasible and in the student’s best interest Includes transportation Even across school division lines Get the student enrolled and keep the student enrolled! This is worth knowing for those families with school age children that you serve and parenting teens

Implementation Challenges Verification: who is homeless Lack of space Mobility and lack of notice

Tips for discussing/ identifying Avoid using “homeless” Focus on temporary nature of housing or being in transition

Lack of Space Invite to socialization activities Provide books or toys Home visiting when doubled up or shelter space are inappropriate Open for suggestions for working with families with limited space

Mobility and lack of notice Build trust Have other contacts on file – release of information Recognize fear to share what basics are not available

Promising Practice and Resources Parent Pack adapted for younger children

Importance of Education for Young Children Experiencing Homelessness https://vimeo.com/124629860 Popp, 2012

Helpful Websites Project HOPE-VA – www.wm.edu/hope CoC – http://www.hudhre.info NCHE – http://center.serve.org/nche/ibt/sc_preschool.php NAEHCY – www.naehcy.org Popp, Mondak, & Hayden, 2011

Homelessness Online Lessons http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta-system/family/family/Homelessness/hmls/welcome.html

“HOME”work Get to know your homeless liaison(s) Look for ways to share the story Others?? Other ideas?

Thanks for all you do! Popp, Mondak, & Hayden, 2011

Project HOPE-Virginia The College of William & Mary P. O. Box 8795 Williamsburg, VA 23187 757-221-7776 877-455-3412 (toll free) 757-221-5300 (fax) homlss@wm.edu www.wm.edu/hope Popp, 2009 Popp, 2012