Kids Without Homes: A School District Responds Awareness Training for Bus Drivers.

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

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Responds


Bus Drivers

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Contact Information

• Name:

• Office Phone:

• Other Phone:

• Email:


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Responds


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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 …

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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


• loss of health coverage andother benefits

• a family member’s addiction

• financial burdens that can come with long-term care

Think about it


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



• Separation from family members• Loss of friends, pets• Frequently changing schools• Difficulty getting to school • Poor grades• Being teased and ridiculed



Everyday is

difficult when . . .

in your life is

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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:


Kids Without Homes: A School District Responds Awareness Training for Bus Drivers.

Documents

Transcript of Kids Without Homes: A School District Responds Awareness Training for Bus Drivers.