1. Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness
Presented by:
Pam Woods
District Homeless Education Liaison Volusia County Schools

2. Homeless Definition Students lack a fixed, regular, and adequate
night-time
residence
Children and Youth are considered homeless when they lack a fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence and they:
Share housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason
Stay in emergency or transitional shelters, motels, hotels, travel trailer parks, or camping grounds
Stay in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, bus or train stations
Stay in public or private places not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings
Are abandoned or awaiting foster care placement
Legal Obligation: School districts are required to identify and serve homeless children and youth, regardless of funding, under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act. Each district must have a designated homeless liaison and provide specific services.
Legal Authority: Sections ; Florida Statutes
Laws Implemented:
Section (12), (1)(f); Florida Statutes
McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act
VCS Student/Pupil Policy Number 209 (adopted and effective July 28, 2009)

3. Housing Instability
Think of homelessness in terms of housing instability
Families may have housing for a period of time and then lose it
Housing Instability affects academic performance
These children and youth typically perform below grade level

4. Rights of Homeless Children and Youth
Enroll in school without having a permanent address
Enroll and attend school while arranging for required school records or documents
Remain in the school attended before becoming homeless (called school of origin)
Attend school and participate in school programs with students who are not homeless
Receive special programs and services for which they are eligible
Receive assistance with transportation to school

5. Barriers to Learning May not know where they will be from day to day
Lack adequate school supplies
Have no place to study or do projects
Experience multiple school placements

6. School Stability Critical to Educational Success
Students who switch schools frequently score lower on standardized tests
Mobility also hurts non-mobile students
It takes children 4-6 months to recover academically after changing schools
Students suffer psychologically, socially, and academically from high mobility and are less likely to participate in activities

7. Statistics:
SY - identified 2016 students who met the federal definition of homelessness
SY – identified 1125 students who met the federal definition of homelessness
Homelessness occurs at all grade levels with the majority occurring at the elementary level

8. Focus of Volusia County Schools
Attendance
Academic achievement
School stability
Services
Community Linkages
Areas of Focus:
Improve attendance through collaboration of school social workers, schools, and parents
Increase academic achievement through after school tutoring at area shelters and Longstreet Elementary
Provide school stability by improved identification, immediate enrollment, and keeping students in school of origin by supplying transportation
Initiatives:
Services
Funds for School Activities and Family Needs
Tutoring at STAR, Family Renew, and Beach House
Educational supplies
Transportation costs
Support for homeless unaccompanied youth – Beach House Enrichment
Summer enrichment – Beach House
Staff development
Informational brochures
District Homeless Education Steering Committee
Community Linkages
Food Brings Hope
Cudas UnHooked
Wolves UnPacked

9. For more information Pam Woods District Homeless Education Liaison
Volusia County Schools
(386) ext or 50395