This publication summarizes issues relating to the education of homeless children and youth and reviews programs that are effective in the delivery of educational services to this population. The report is comprised of five sections. The first section, "Introduction," surveys factors contributing to homelessness and indicates the special needs of young people who are homeless. The second section, "Problems in Educating Homeless Children and Youth," examines the following situations: (1) legal barriers, including residency requirements and guardianship requirements; (2) financial constraints, including family-related financial problems and school-related financial problems; (3) institutional impediments, including lack of records, placement in inappropriate programs, lack of coordination, and educational performance problems; and (4) social and psychological concerns, including stress, social acceptance, and self-esteem. The third section, "Federal Legislation for the Homeless," describes provisions of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act for homeless education. The fourth section, "Programs that Work," describes transitional programs in Tacoma (Washington), Salt Lake City (Utah), and San Diego (California), and mainstreamed programs in Venice (California), and New York City. The fifth section, "Breaking the Cycle of Homelessness," restates the need for more innovative educational programs along with economic, domestic, and other changes. A list of 19 references is appended. (AF)

Homeless kids of all ages exist in every community, but few realize this. Because of their invisibility, the needs of these kids, a population of over 3 million, go largely unmet. The Charlie Book not only offers a range of ways ordinary compassionate people can help in their own communities, but it also gives background information to help understand the scope of this hidden problem. Additionally, it directs readers to existing resources.Schools districts must have a trained homeless liaison to identify and assist students experiencing homelessness. The federal McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth Act, reauthorized in December 2015 as part of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), specifies duties and responsibilities of these liaisons. One is to develop local resources to help the students succeed in school. "Charlie," for whom the book is named, was instrumental in passage of homeless children and youth's educational rights. Society's choice in dealing with widespread angst about income inequality, racial strife, domestic and international violence, and personal challenges could angrily tumble into an apathetic stupor or embrace compassion that spurs action. The Charlie Book: 60 Ways to Help Homeless Kids grew out of the desire to create a "compassion epidemic" that would spill out across the country to ease the suffering of millions of homeless children and youth. It was created and reviewed by people with years of experience working with homeless kids.This concise handbook will provide the know-how for adults and kids, civic organizations and faith communities, scout troops and neighborhood associations to make a viable difference in their local communities for the mostly invisible families and youth experiencing a variety of shapes of homelessness.Those involved in this book believe that good people doing good things will mitigate the apathy and anxiety that grabs headlines and shatters lives. The Charlie Book offers a simple, doable approach to providing tangible help to young people striving to get an education despite the formidable challenges they face. The antidote to apathy is action. The Charlie Book, offers simple activities that can simply change lives for the better.

The seminal work on homeless students and our responsibility to educate them Homelessness Comes to School provides substantial and far-reaching research that describes the plight of homeless children, the legal framework surrounding the issue, and ways to work together toward a solution. The text also outlines effective intervention programs and includes specific guidelines for teaching homeless students. Topics covered include: A history of homelessness, including its demographic patterns, causes, and impact on society The various programs schools have implemented to address the problem How schools, parents, and external community agencies can work together to educate homeless students

This publication details components of California's statewide plan for educating homeless children and youth. Revisions of the original plan were based on data derived from statewide surveys of school districts and shelters conducted in 1988, 1989, and 1990. The 1990 amendments to the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1987 focus more on what is happening or should be happening locally to ensure that homeless children are able to attend and remain in school. A particular concern is the lack of awareness that prevents homeless children from receiving the same educational opportunities as their peers. Following the preface, the introduction describes the basis and purpose of The State Plan for Educating Homeless Children and Youth. The next five sections present information and recommendations for state- and local-level responsibilities. Information is presented on developing and implementing the plan; resolving disputes about placement; eliminating barriers to educating homeless children and youth; providing equal access to educational programs and services; and promoting, implementing, and monitoring the plan. Appendices contain the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, a legal advisory on applying residency requirements to homeless children, and lists of advisory committee members for 1988-89 and 1990-91. (LMI)