ArtReach Homelessness

Homelessness In America

There are over 750,000 homeless people in America each day.

Each year 1.35 million children in the United States will experience homelessness.
National Alliance to End Homelessness www.endhomelessness.org

Children make up 25% of the homeless shelter population.
HUD Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress 2007 www.huduser.org/Publications/pdf/ahar.pdf

In the 2006/2007 academic year, over 679,000 homeless children were enrolled in local education agencies.
National Center for Homeless Education www.serve.org/nche/downloads/data_comp_03-06.pdf

Common Difficulties Faced by Homeless Families

Homeless families have a variety of hardships directly related to their lack of a stable residence. Homeless children will often fail in academics simply because of their constant state of mobility. Students may change schools several times during the course of the year, might not have transportation to attend school, and will possibly have a high rate of absences because of poor health and lack of health insurance. Families are often in a constant state of crisis, and homeless children may exhibit emotional, mental, or physical health issues as a result of stress.

Below is a brief list of common difficulties faced by homeless families. These are issues that ArtREACH relieves by providing a free full after school program, academic tutoring, a safe and stable educational environment, an afternoon snack, and a positive means of self-expression through the arts.

HARDSHIPS FACED BY HOMELESS FAMILIES

Lack Of Economic Stability
Joblessness
Poor job skills
Lack of basic needs (food, clothing, shelter)
Lack of adequate childcare

Health Problems
Malnutrition
Poor sleeping habits
Untreated illnesses
Substance abuse and addiction

Unreliable Transportation
Use of public transportation
Poorly maintained vehicles
Reliance on friends/neighbors/relatives
Walking in dangerous neighborhoods

Emotional Issues
Domestic Violence
Stress and mental health issues
Family separation and chronic homelessness

School Difficulties
Low academic performance
Low school attendance
Higher prevalence of learning disabilities
Poor concentration levels because of poor sleeping habits, malnutrition, etc.

Legal Issues
Custodial disputes and guardianship issues
Privacy issues
Suspected abuse or neglect
Incarceration
Lack of identification or possible illegal immigrant status

The McKinney-Vento Act

[Full Text]

The Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act originated in the early 1980s, when homelessness and the mandate that the federal government needed to play an important role in addressing the needs of the homeless population came to the forefront. In 1987, President Ronald Reagan signed the Stewart B. McKinney Act into law. Reauthorization of the Act credited Bruce Vento and now the McKinney-Vento Act provides a legal definition of homelessness and consists of fifteen programs mandated to address the needs of the homeless population.

The McKinney-Vento Act defines "homeless children and youths" as "individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence" [definition]. This can include students living in shelters, overcrowded trailers, the streets, cars, faster homes, are abandoned, etc., and who are migrant children who meet the definition of lacking a "fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence".

The McKinney-Vento Act requires that each state educational agency provide homeless children "equal access" to public education and prohibits the segregation of homeless students from the mainstream student population. Agencies are required to remove barriers (ex. requiring medical forms/identification) that prevent a homeless student from accessing public education. Funds are provided to ensure that agencies provide services that address the needs of the homeless student (ex. transportation and free meals), including access to Head Start and after school programs, when applicable. Additionally, homeless students have the right to continue attending the school they were attending when having a "permanent residence", regardless of their current living situation.

Each state or school district that receives Federal funding is required to have a Liaison that is responsible for coordinating agencies involved in meeting the various needs of homeless students. Contact your local district's Homeless Education Department to see how your program can work together with the state to create an exciting after school arts program for homeless students.