Such referrals and recruiting deprive homeless families of real school choice. Separate schools or classrooms produce a visible concentration of children who are experiencing homelessness and poverty, and who are isolated only because they are homeless. These schools thus exacerbate the stigma associated with homelessness, rather than reduce it. Separating homeless children into different educational facilities accommodates the prejudices of housed children against their homeless peers. Segregation based on disability would also flourish under such reasoning.
Integrated programs help protect against stigma in a number of ways.
Integrated programs combat prejudice by developing activities to sensitize school personnel and housed students to the plight of their homeless peers. Activities of this nature have proven effective in fostering greater support, understanding, and tolerance. Integrated programs work to keep children stabilized by providing transportation and other assistance needed to keep children attending school. These programs reduce school transfers and promote educational continuity. Such schools thus increase instability in homeless children's lives, rather than helping to stabilize them.