Homelessness Comes to School

"This is the most comprehensive analysis of homeless youth that exists. Joseph Murphy and Kerri Tobin patiently outline the demographic, sociohistorical, and psychological challenges facing one of our most vulnerable and least understood populations."—William G. Tierney, Director, Center for Higher Education Policy AnalysisProfessor, University of Southern California

School-aged children in homeless families and independent homeless youth represent the fastest-growing population of homeless individuals in the United States. This volume brings the issue to light with substantial and far-reaching research that describes the plight of these children, the legal framework surrounding the issue, and educators′ roles in teaching homeless children. Homelessness Comes to School also outlines effective intervention programs and provides 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 homeless children′s needs
• How schools, parents, and external community agencies can work together to educate homeless students

Evaluating the scope of the problem and developing interventions for these students at risk must be a priority for service providers and policy makers. This resource will give all involved parties a well-grounded understanding of homelessness and guidelines for working together toward a solution.