Homeless Student Assistance

Who are homeless students?

Did you know that over half of the nation’s homeless population is comprised of children, the majority of whom are elementary age or younger? Homelessness is a greater epidemic than many of us think. In St. Clair County, homeless students may be found living in the following situations:

• With relatives or friends due to their family’s inability to obtain housing
• In public or private shelters
• In public or private places not designated for or ordinarily used as regular sleeping accommodations for human beings, such as cars and parks
• Moving from place to place because they have been abandoned or forced out of their home by parents or other caretakers

• Homeless families move frequently. Several school moves can cause students to fall behind.
• Homeless students may feel the need to “cover-up” to avoid embarrassments. Many homeless students act aggressively and are labeled troublemakers.
• Often homeless students can become depressed due to their living conditions. They may withdraw and show a lack of effort.

What is legally required?

The Stewart B. McKinney Act, which was passed by Congress in 1987, sets forth conditions for educating homeless children. Under this Act, schools must:

• Provide every homeless child access to public education.
• Gather data and develop plans for educating homeless children.
• Maintain homeless children in the school they are attending or enroll them in the district where they are residing (whichever is in the best interest of the child) for the entire school year.
• Provide services for homeless students comparable to the services offered to all other students in the school, including transportation.
• Maintain homeless children’s records so they are timely and available.

In addition, 1990 amendments to the bill require schools to:

• Develop policies to remove barriers to enrolling homeless students.
• Put in writing, plans to provide transportation for homeless students.
• Document how they are handling enrollment delays caused by immunization requirements, guardian issues and lack of birth certificates or school records.
• Develop plans for staff training on the educational needs of homeless children and ensure that homeless children are not isolated or stigmatized.

Principals

• Establish a true welcome to the school. Introduce the family and child to teachers and other staff and give a tour of the school. Set the tone for further parent involvement. Answer questions and give the “personal touch.”

Teachers

• Be consistent in your own behaviors. Children from unstable homes see inconsistency on a continual basis. The classroom should be a place where the child can be certain that the rules are not changed arbitrarily and that the teacher keeps his or her word.
• Model appropriate behavior. Children watch very closely to see how a teacher reacts to a stressful situation or to frustration.
• Keep in mind that the parents of these children may not be able to make treats for their child’s birthday. Look for alternative ways to provide goodies for birthday parties.
• Arrange assignments so that homeless children can keep up with their peers without having to take things home. Keep work in the classroom that would otherwise have been sent home.
• Reduce stress in the classroom. Children who live with daily stress at home need a quiet, controlled atmosphere at school.
• Have an up-to-date list of local shelters, counseling programs and outreach programs that you can provide to the parent if requested. Make yourself available to them.

Counselors

• Know the community resources so you are in position to make referrals for the family in areas such as housing, transportation and counseling.
• Establish positive communication with families.

School Secretaries 

• Make the parents feel welcome when they enter the school office. Assist in filling out forms. Be sensitive that some of the parents may lack reading and writing skills. Don’t bring any special attention to their situation.
• Send the school newsletter to the local shelters. Make information about school programs, such as breakfast and lunch programs, available to each shelter.
• Help with bus schedules. This may include setting up bus stops to pick up kids at the shelter first and drop them off last to ease the embarrassment of living at a shelter.

If you know or suspect that a student is homeless and would like more information on how your school can help, contact Laura McDowell, Homeless Student Assistance Coordinator, (810) 364-8990 ext. 4022.

Carolyn’s Place
PO Box 61968, Port Huron
(810) 985-5538
Length of stay: 30 days
Carolyn’s Place serves women and their dependent children who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and/or homelessness.

The Harbor
929 Pine Street, Port Huron
(810) 982-8584
The Harbor website
Length of stay: Up to three-weeks
The Harbor provides a safe place to stay up to 3 weeks for youth between the ages of 9-17.

Pathway Shelter
511 Union Street, Port Huron
(810) 982-1020
Length of stay: 30 days
The Pathway Shelter provides emergency shelter for single men, single women and families. Must be at least 18 years old.

Sacred Heart 
400 Stoddard Road, Richmond
(810) 392-2167
Sacred Heart website
Length of stay: Depends on treatment program
Sacred Heart Behavioral Health, Recovery and Wellness Services is a substance abuse treatment facility for women 18 and older with or without children and pregnant women.

Wings of The Harbor Transitional Living Program
1114 Court Street, Port Huron
(810) 989-9602
The Wings of The Harbor website
Length of stay: Up to 18 continuous months
Wings of The Harbor is a transitional living program that provides shelter for homeless or potentially homeless youth between the ages of 16–20.

Videos explore plight of homeless students

Get a first-hand look at its causes, and how educators can respond.

Homelessness: It Can Happen to You
This documentary illustrates the serious problem of homelessness in St. Clair County.
View the video 12:03

Homelessness: What You Need to Know
Of the nation's homeless population, half are families with children. This video helps school staff understand their role in making sure homeless children receive an education.
View the video 8:24

Homelessness: Enrolling Homeless Students
This video shows school staff how to properly enroll homeless children in school.
View the video 5:53

Homelessness: Transporting Homeless Students
This video will assist school staff with what rights homeless students have in regards to school transportation.
View the video 10:03

Copies of these videos are available for purchase.
DVD order form

St. Clair County Community Mental Health
Provides homeless prevention and assistance resources