School Districts Across the Nation See Spike in Homeless Students

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Since our own Senator Murray is quoted in this story, let's hope she is doing something about it. The group who put out the press release is "First Focus." Let's hope that's at least partially true.
Portion below; whole thing here: http://tiny.cc/L4APs

WASHINGTON, Dec 18, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ -- New report finds hundreds of school districts experiencing drastic increases in the numbers of homeless children in their classrooms; Members of Congress call for action

A new report released today has found that school districts across the country have experienced a significant spike in the number of homeless students. The report centers around a voluntary survey conducted during the fall of 2008 by the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth and First Focus.

The survey found the following information in just the first two to three months of the school year:

    --  330 school districts identified the same number or more homeless
       students in the first few months of this school year than they
       identified the entire previous year.
   --  847 school districts identified one half or more of last year's
       caseload of homeless students in the first few months of this school
       year.
   --  459 school districts had an increase of at least 25 percent in the
       number of homeless students identified between the 2006-2007 and
       2007-2008 school years.

"This survey largely confirms what we already know about the number of students becoming homeless -- it's grown exponentially," said Bruce Lesley, president of First Focus, a bipartisan children's advocacy organization. "More important than the numbers may be the long and serious list of challenges, including lack of staff, insufficient shelter space and housing, and the diminishing community services and supplies available to homeless children, made worse by state budget constraints during this recession. Indeed, now is the time for the federal government to take action that states cannot afford to take through support for homeless prevention, Section 8 housing, and funding for school districts to assist homeless students so that they do not lose their education as well as their homes. Now more than ever, we need to provide students with those supports so that they need will grow and succeed," Lesley continued.

"Public schools are among the most accurate barometers of family and youth homelessness," said Tim Stahlke, President of the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth. "No other entity has the same level of daily contact with children, youth, and families. These numbers are alarming so early in the school year, especially when the economic crisis is far from over."

He added, "Education offers our children and youth the best chance of escaping poverty and avoiding homelessness as adults. We must provide the supports our students need to enroll, attend, and succeed in school."

As part of the survey, school districts reported the challenges associated with increases in homelessness. These include the rising transportation costs and logistical challenges that are associated with ensuring homeless children have access to their school of origin, as well as a lack of staffing necessary to identify and support children and youth experiencing homelessness. Moreover, schools have reported that while the severity of the need increases, available shelter space and low-income housing is decreasing, as well as reductions in other community services and supplies.