Featured Grant OpportunitySchool Emergency Response to Violence (Project SERV) (Funding Opportunity) 

Featured Grant OpportunityShare with Youth: NOAA Student Opportunities Database

Featured Grant OpportunityShort Courses in Social Determinants of Health for Research Education in Nursing Research (Funding...

Featured Grant OpportunityResearch on Law Enforcement Responses to Opioid Overdoses (Funding Opportunity)

Featured Grant OpportunityComprehensive Partnerships to Advance Cancer Health Equity (CPACHE) Program (Funding Opportunity)

Featured Grant OpportunityRisk and Protective Factors of Family Health and Family Level Interventions (Funding Opportunity)

Featured Grant OpportunityPersonnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities--Doctoral...

Featured Grant OpportunityStanding Announcement for Tribal Title IV-E Plan Development Grants (Funding Opportunity)

Featured Grant OpportunityProviding Research Education Experiences to Enhance Inclusivity for a Diverse Substance Use and...

Featured Grant OpportunityFY 2024 Research on School-Based Hate Crimes (Funding Opportunity)

Featured Grant OpportunityChallenge America (Funding Opportunity)

Featured Grant OpportunityResearch and Evaluation on Firearm Violence and Mass Shootings (Funding Opportunity)

Featured Grant OpportunityNational Juvenile Court Data Archive (Funding Opportunity)

Featured Grant OpportunityGraduate Research Fellowship (Funding Opportunity)

Featured Grant OpportunityCommunity Programs for Outreach and Intervention with Youth and Young Adults at Clinical High Risk...

Featured Grant OpportunityPrint and Disseminate Child Victims and Witnesses Support Materials (Funding Opportunity)

## Other Youth Topics

## Breadcrumb

            -  Youth Topics 
            -           Education      

# Education

In the 2009-2010 school year, 939,903 youth in public schools experienced homelessness as defined by the Department of Education. This was a 41 percent increase from the 2006-2007 school year. The most often reported living situation for youth experiencing homelessness was sharing a house due to the loss of housing because of economic hardship or a similar reason.1

A number of studies2 have found that youth experiencing homelessness and runaway youth face academic and behavioral problems at school including low graduation rates, high expulsion and suspension rates, high special education placement rates, and high grade retention. Studies have found the rates to be similar to, or more extensive than, housed youth living in poverty.3

For example, a small 2005 study of 18- to 21-year-old youth experiencing homelessness found that two-thirds had not obtained a high school diploma or a GED certificate at the point of program intake.4 Further, a study using the Department of Education’s definition of homelessness with four primary grade cohorts in the Minnesota Public School district, found that students experiencing homelessness and highly mobile students were significantly behind their low-income-but-housed peers as well as their more socioeconomically advantaged peers for both reading and math achievement throughout elementary school. Homelessness and high mobility were found to be risk factors above and beyond poverty, gender, English language learner status, ethnicity, and attendance rates.5

Despite these findings, youth affected by homelessness are not a homogenous group. Studies have found that some youth are able to perform as well as or above their peers despite the challenges and stressors they face, while others appear to struggle.6

Children experiencing homelessness face many barriers to education, including
                      - the inability to meet enrollment requirements (including requirements to provide proof of residency and legal guardianship, and school and health records);
                      - high mobility resulting in lack of school stability and educational continuity;
                      - lack of transportation;
                      - lack of school supplies and clothing;
                      - lack of awareness and support from school staff; and
                      - poor health, fatigue, and hunger. 7

When these barriers are not addressed, children and youth experiencing homelessness often are unable to attend—or even enroll in—school, which prevents them from obtaining an education and creating further challenges as they transition to adulthood. Schools have been mandated with addressing these barriers by raising awareness about the challenges that youth experiencing homelessness face, implementing policies to limit barriers to enrollment and transportation issues, providing in-school and related services to support youth experiencing homelessness, conducting outreach to identify youth impacted by homelessness who may not be attending schools, and involving a coordinator who can help to oversee youth affected by homelessness at the local or state level.8

Schools and school-based prevention programs for youth experiencing homelessness have the potential to provide prosocial environments where youth can develop positive social bonds. While specific programs to prevent homelessness have not been developed or evaluated, programs targeted at preventing some of the risk factors for homelessness (e.g., substance abuse, youth delinquency) have shown positive effects.9Federal programs such as the Transitional Living Program provide educational support services to help youth receive a GED, access post-secondary education, and develop vocational skills.

## Resources

**Chapin Hall: Youth Homelessness and Education**This report from Chapin Hall discusses findings from a study that looked at youth experiencing homelessness from 22 counties across the U.S., including how experiencing homelessness can detrimentally affect education including barriers and recommendations.

**Adolescent Well-Being after Experiencing Family Homelessness**New analysis of data from the HUD-funded Family Options Study of interventions for families experiencing homelessness examines adolescents’ experiences in shelter with their families and 20 months later. The analysis shows that most adolescents continued to live with their families, and some continued to experience housing instability or live in overcrowded situations. These adolescents were more likely to have changed schools or been absent from schools than their peers nationally, and school mobility was associated with persistent homelessness or doubling up. Young people who changed schools frequently had slightly lower grades, less motivation, and slightly more problem behaviors than those who did not. Twenty months after a shelter stay with their families, adolescents exhibited more problem behaviors generally than their peers nationally.

**Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program**Formula grants are provided to the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico based on each state’s share of Title I, Part A funds. The outlying areas and the Bureau of Indian Affairs also receive funds. These funds are provided so that Local Education Agencies and State Education Agencies can implement the requirements mandated in the McKinney Vento Act. For example, this includes: funds for an office to coordinate the education of children and youth experiencing homelessness in each state; assistance to State Education Agencies to ensure that children experiencing homelessness, including preschoolers, have equal access to free and appropriate public education (FAPE); and mandates that states review and revise laws and practices that impede such equal access.

**National Center for Homeless Education at SERVE (NCHE)**NCHE is the U.S. Department of Education's technical assistance and information center in the area of homeless education. Its website provides a range of resources and support around homelessness, including websites, reports, briefs, training resources, videos, curriculum materials, and more. For assistance with homeless education issues, contact the NCHE helpline at 1-800-308-2145 (toll-free) or homeless@serve.org.

## References

1 Bowman, Dukes, & Moore, 20122 Most studies of homeless youth focus on youth in shelters (HUD definition of homelessness) and vary in the sample size, experience of homelessness, supports provided, and research design.  3 Samuels, Shinn, & Bruckner, 2010; Toro, Dworsky, & Fowler, 2007; Aratani, 2009; Thompson & Pollio, 20064 Barber, 20055 Obradovic et al., 20096 Huntington, Bruckner, & Bassuk, 2008; Obradovic et al., 20097 Health Resources and Services Administration, 2001; U.S. Department of Education, 20028 U.S. Department of Education, 20029 Toro, Dworsky, & Fowler, 2007

## Other Resources on this Topic

### Agencies 

                          - Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control

### Announcements 

                          - National Adoption Month 2022
                          - National Adoption Month 2022
                          - Observance: 2023 Global Diversity Awareness Month
                          - Permanency for Youth on Their Own Terms
                          - Pride Month Census Data
                          - Recent Event: HUD Awards Nearly $500,000 to Public Housing Authorities to Help Young People Aging out of Foster Care
                          - Report: A Guide to Effective Collaborations with Community-Based Organizations to Support Students Experiencing Homelessness
                          - Report: Food Insecurity and Health-Related Concerns Among Elementary Schoolteachers During the COVID-19 Pandemic
                          - Report: Fulfilling America’s Future: Latinas in the U.S., 2015
                          - Report: Homelessness and Housing Instability Among LGBTQ Youth
                          - Report: Lessons from a Historic Decline in Child Poverty
                          - Resource: “My Dream Home” Activity
                          - Resource: ACS-ED Data
                          - Resource: Activate: The Center to Bring Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Research to Youth-Supporting Professionals
                          - Resource: Advances in Supporting Kinship Caregivers Podcast Series
                          - Resource: All In: The Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness
                          - Resource: American Community Survey Resources for American Indian and Alaska Native Populations
                          - Resource: Ask Youth Challenge
                          - Resource: Broadband Access Landscape
                          - Resource: Child Welfare in the News
                          - Resource: Core Youth Outcomes in Youth of Color
                          - Resource: Determining Youth and Young Adult Eligibility for Services: Grantee Tools and Processes
                          - Resource: Federal Student Aid and Homeless Youth
                          - Resource: From Evidence to Action: A Federal Homelessness Research Agenda
                          - Resource: Going to a Public Disaster Shelter During the COVID-19 Pandemic
                          - Resource: Highlights From the 2020 Juvenile Residential Facility Census
                          - Resource: Homeless Resources
                          - Resource: Housing Services
                          - Resource: John H. Chafee Foster Care for Successful Transition to Adulthood Program Resource List
                          - Resource: Joint Letter Regarding the Assignment of Rights to Child Support for Children in Foster Care
                          - Resource: LGBTQIA2S+ Youth Experiencing Homelessness
                          - Resource: Mental Health Awareness Among Youth Experiencing Homelessness
                          - Resource: Most Kids with Parent in Same-Sex Relationship Live with Female Couple
                          - Resource: NCFY
                          - Resource: OnTheMap for Emergency Management
                          - Resource: Placement Stability
                          - Resource: Reducing Homelessness Among Young People Transitioning from Foster Care
                          - Resource: Reducing Homelessness Among Young People Transitioning from Foster Care
                          - Resource: Reentry to Foster Care
                          - Resource: Rethinking Service Array for Young People Transitioning from Child Welfare
                          - Resource: Runaway & Homeless Youth and Relationship Violence Toolkit
                          - Resource: Screening and Assessment Tools
                          - Resource: September 2022 Spotlight on Kinship Care
                          - Resource: Student Homelessness in America: School Years 2019-20 to 2021-22
                          - Resource: Supporting Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness during the COVID-19 Outbreak: Questions to Consider
                          - Resource: Supporting LGBTQI+ Students Experiencing Homelessness
                          - Resource: The National Center for Youth with Diverse Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity & Expression (The National SOGIE Center) 
                          - Resource: Tip Sheets on Everyday Parenting Topics
                          - Resource: Transporting Students Experiencing Homelessness
                          - Resource: Unregulated Custody Transfers of Adopted Children
                          - Resource: Voices Amplified
                          - Resource: Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System 2021 Data
                          - Resource: Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System 2021 Data
                          - Resource: Youth Voices
                          - Resource: Youth Voices
                          - Second Chance Month: April 2023
                          - Share with Youth: 1-800-RUNAWAY Public Service Announcement (PSA)
                          - Toolkit: National Foster Care Month 2022 Outreach
                          - Webinar Recording: Elevating the Leadership of Students and Families with Lived Expertise
                          - Webinar Recording: Homelessness in Foster Care: What Would Really Keep Foster Youth From Sleeping in Offices
                          - Webinar Recording: Providing Emergency Preparedness Supports for Students Experiencing Homelessness
                          - Webinar Recording: Supporting English Learners (ELs) Experiencing Homelessness: An ARP-HCY Implementation Spotlight
                          - Youth Voices Have Moved to YE4C

### Collaboration Profiles 

                          - Atlanta Housing Authority
                          - Resources
                          - Y2CONNECT.org

### Data Sources 

                          - 2011-2021 YRBS Data Summary and Trends Report
                          - American FactFinder
                          - Resources for Young Parents & Children Experiencing Homelessness

### Feature Articles 

                          - Father’s Day 2012 – Reconnecting Families and Dads Saturday, June 16th, 2012
                          - Just Launched! Redesigned YE4C
                          - Minnesota's Support Systems for Rural Homeless Youth Program
                          - Nation's Housing Authorities to Celebrate Fathers Day
                          - Report on Well-Being of Nation’s Children Released
                          - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development/GreatSchools Partnership – Coordinating Housing Assistance with Educational Opportunities

### Programs 

                          - Administration for Children and Families/Family and Youth Services Bureau Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs
                          - Choice Neighborhoods
                          - Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Toolkit
                          - Family Unification Program
                          - John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood
                          - Neighborhood Networks
                          - Public and Indian Housing
                          - Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency Program

### Publications 

                          - Healthy Homes Program Brochure
                          - HUD Strategic Plan FY 2010 -2015
                          - Seven Steps to a Healthy Home
                          - Transitional Living Programs and Relationships with Landlords

### Resources 

                          - Ending Housing Discrimination against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Individuals and Families
                          - Report: Fulfilling America’s Future: Latinas in the U.S., 2015
                          - The Equal Access to Housing Rule and Youth
                          - Webinar Recording: Helping the LGBTQIA+ Community Before Disasters: Preparedness and Mitigation Considerations

### Technical Assistance 

                          - Center for Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships
                          - Homelessness Resource Center
                          - Office of Public and Indian Housing Training and Technical Assistance
                          - Runaway and Homeless Youth Training and Technical Assistance Centers
                          - Rural Information Center

### Tools & Guides 

                          - Healthy Homes Website
                          - Rural Development Funding Notices

### Websites 

                          - Interagency Council on Homelessness

## Youth Briefs

How Individualized Education Program (IEP) Transition Planning Makes a Difference for Youth with Disabilities
Youth who receive special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004) and especially young adults of transition age, should be involved in planning for life after high school as early as possible and no later than age 16. Transition services should stem from the individual youth’s needs and strengths, ensuring that planning takes into account his or her interests, preferences, and desires for the future.

Youth Transitioning to Adulthood: How Holding Early Leadership Positions Can Make a Difference
Research links early leadership with increased self-efficacy and suggests that leadership can help youth to develop decision making and interpersonal skills that support successes in the workforce and adulthood. In addition, young leaders tend to be more involved in their communities, and have lower dropout rates than their peers. Youth leaders also show considerable benefits for their communities, providing valuable insight into the needs and interests of young people

How Trained Service Professionals and Self-Advocacy Makes a Difference for Youth with Mental Health, Substance Abuse, or Co-occurring Issues
Statistics reflecting the number of youth suffering from mental health, substance abuse, and co-occurring disorders highlight the necessity for schools, families, support staff, and communities to work together to develop targeted, coordinated, and comprehensive transition plans for young people with a history of mental health needs and/or substance abuse.

Young Adults Formerly in Foster Care: Challenges and Solutions
Nearly 30,000 youth aged out of foster care in Fiscal Year 2009, which represents nine percent of the young people involved in the foster care system that year. This transition can be challenging for youth, especially youth who have grown up in the child welfare system.

Coordinating Systems to Support Transition Age Youth with Mental Health Needs
Research has demonstrated that as many as one in five children/youth have a diagnosable mental health disorder. Read about how coordination between public service agencies can improve treatment for these youth.

Civic Engagement Strategies for Transition Age Youth
Civic engagement has the potential to empower young adults, increase their self-determination, and give them the skills and self-confidence they need to enter the workforce. Read about one youth’s experience in AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC).

## Main navigation

- Homelessness and Runaway
- Federal Definitions
- Rates
- Family Conflict and Violence
- LGBT
- Education
- Child Welfare
- Juvenile Justice
- Behavioral Health
- Physical & Reproductive Health
- Resources for Young Parents & Children Experiencing Homelessness
- Federal Programs
- Interagency Efforts
- Federal Data Sources
- References

## Help Spread the Word About youth.gov

Get a Web Badge

## Latest Resources

### Agencies

Resource: Survivor-Informed Services Among Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs

Resource: Survivor-Informed Services Among Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs

Resource: Survivor-Informed Services Among Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs

### Announcements

Resource: Student Homelessness in America: School Years 2019-20 to 2021-22

Resource: Voices Amplified

Resource: American Community Survey Resources for American Indian and Alaska Native Populations

### Collaboration Profiles

Y2CONNECT.org

Resources

Atlanta Housing Authority

### Data Sources

2011-2021 YRBS Data Summary and Trends Report

2011-2021 YRBS Data Summary and Trends Report

2011-2021 YRBS Data Summary and Trends Report

### Feature Articles

Resources to Support Youth Who Have Lost a Caregiver

Just Launched! Redesigned YE4C

A Hand and Paw Partnership Benefits Homeless Youth

### Hotlines

Resource: National Runaway Safeline (NRS) | (1800runaway.org)

Resource: National Runaway Safeline (NRS) | (1800runaway.org)

### Publications

What Factors Predict Whether Youth Will Run Away or Become Homeless Again After Returning Home?

Transitional Living Programs and Relationships with Landlords

SNAP: Clarification of Policies Barriers Facing Homeless Youth

### Resources

Webinar Recording: Helping the LGBTQIA+ Community Before Disasters: Preparedness and Mitigation Considerations

Share with Youth: Youth Speak Out: Shared Experiences Help Rural Youth Leaders Connect

Resource: Data on Homeless Students