1. THE REASON WHY

2. Homelessness is associated with…
Developmental delays across domains of functioning
High rates of social-emotional challenges
Grade retention and academic difficulties, drop out
Mental health diagnoses
But, there is evidence of resilience!

3. “For these vulnerable children, access to high- quality educational resources and support is perhaps the surest way to prevent intergenerational poverty and homelessness”
(American Almanac of Family Homelessness, 2015)

4. Why do we need to pay attention? What are barriers?
Systems operate in isolation
Parents not prepared to navigate systems
Families are challenging to serve
High mobility
History of trauma
Families are hidden from professionals
Considered “baggage” in homeless services
Considered unreachable in early childhood services

5. The Vision
To ensure children birth to 5 years experiencing homelessness receive early intervention services for developmental and socio- emotional and mental health needs and have access to high quality affordable early education/care.

6. Find/identify a child experiencing homelessness
Screen/assess children experiencing homelessness
Collaborate and connect with providers

8. Involvement of Key Partners: Wrap Around Collaboration
Homeless
Services
Providers
Early Childhood Education
Headstart
Child Care
Title I
Pre K
CHILD
Early Intervention
Speech
Mental Health
Parenting
Developmental Services
Homeless
Education

9. Yay Babies Partners Salvation Army: Project CATCH
SchoolHouse Connection
CCDF Lead Agency: DCDEE
Dept of Social Services: Subsidy
Smart Start
Child Care Resource & Referral
McKinney-Vento SEA Coordinator and LEA Liaisons
Homeless provider agencies
NC State University
NC Infant Mental Health
Head Start Collaboration, Head Start/Early Head Start Programs
Early Intervention/IDEA Part C
NC Coalition to End Homelessness

10. Focus on Education, Awareness and Outreach
Public Awareness
Videos - 3
Social Media
Parent Education and Outreach
Resource Fairs
Targeted Outreach (Street teams)
Work with COCs/BOS – inform on new policies, encourage cross sector partnerships

11. Wake
Charlotte
Asheville
Lee
Wilmington
Greensboro
Outreach Events

13. Resources:

14. Resources….

15. Jennifer Tisdale, MSW, MPH
Project CATCH Coordinator
The Salvation Army
1863 Capital Boulevard
Raleigh, NC 27604