Kids Without Homes:A School District
Responds
Awareness Trainingfor
Bus Drivers
Contact Information
• Name:
• Office Phone:
• Other Phone:
• Email:
Homeless Education Liaison
You are here
Note-Taking Pages
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Note-Taking Pages
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Contact Information
• Name:
• Office Phone:
• Other Phone:
• Email:
Homeless Education Liaison
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Kids Without Homes:A School District
Responds
Awareness Trainingfor
Bus Drivers
Note-Taking PagesNote-Taking Pages
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
Contact Information
• Name:
• Office Phone:
• Other Phone:
• Email:
Homeless Education Liaison
You arehere
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______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
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______________________________________
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Kids Without Homes:A School District
Responds
Awareness Trainingfor
Bus Drivers
.
Youare
here
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What does homelessness look like? How do people become homeless? What are some of the problems and
concerns of kids without homes? Why does it matter which school
they attend? How can you make a difference?
Questions we’ll discuss …
.
Who is homeless?
Overview
Who is homeless?
Question
Federal and state laws say that kids who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence are homeless
Who is Homeless?
The federal law is called the McKinney-Vento Homeless
Assistance Act
What does homelessness
look like?
Question
Stereotypes of Homelessness
What does homelessness look like?
.
How do people become homeless?
Question
Think about it
• a natural disaster
• a job cut-back or layoff
• wages that don’t keep up withhousing costs and taxes
• a major house fire
Could this happen to you or to anyone you know?
• often behind on monthly payments
• unplanned major expense
Think about it
• high balances on credit cards
Could this happen to you or to anyone you know?
• loss of health coverage andother benefits
• a family member’s addiction
• financial burdens that can come with long-term care
Think about it
Could this happen to you or to anyone you know?
What are some of the problems and concerns of kids without homes?
Question
How many problems and concerns can you name?
Think about it
• Not sure when and where they will have their next meal • Not sure where they are going to
sleep at night• No way to know when they will have a chance to bathe or wash
their clothes
Special Problems and Concerns
A partial list . . .
• No easy access to medical, dental, or counseling services
• No money, even for the basics• Dirty, very old, or shabby clothing• No privacy• No place to study or play
Special Problems and Concerns
A partial list . . .
• Separation from family members• Loss of friends, pets• Frequently changing schools• Difficulty getting to school • Poor grades• Being teased and ridiculed
Special Problems and Concerns
A partial list . . .
Everyday is
difficult when . . .
in your life is
.
Special Problems and Concerns
Why does it matter to kids without homes which school they attend?
Question
In a nutshell …
Staying in the school the student was attending when he or she became homeless provides academic and social stability
Stability
Benefits of Stability
• allows kids to establish ongoingrelationships with teachers andother students
Stability . . .
• builds hope and self-esteemas students experience success
• improves attendance statistics and achievement scores
Stability is so important that school districts must provide transportation to the “school of origin” (unless it is against the wishes of the parents or guardians)
Stability
It’s in the law!
How can you makea difference?
Question
Think about it
If you and your family were experiencing homelessness,how would you want your kidsto be treated by:
• School staff?
• Other students?
• Bus drivers?
Think about it
• Would you want your kids treated with pity?
• Would you want your kids tobe singled out in any way?
• Or even with well-meaning sympathy?
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Making a Difference
Avoid saying or doing anything that might draw attention to the student’s homeless situation
Making a Difference
• Don’t announce that the shelter isthe next stop
• If it’s safe to do so and both the parentand your supervisor have given their approval, you could let older students out about a block from the shelter
Examples
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Do your best to help
your youthful passengers
feel
Most of all . . .
Making a Difference
Contact Information
• Name:
• Office Phone:
• Other Phone:
• Email:
Homeless Education Liaison