Homeless children and youth. . .our response???

Consider. . .

• 39% of the national homeless population are children.
• 42% of homeless children are under 5-years-old (just like my youngest grandson, Henry!)
• Of the 42% only 15% are enrolled in pre-school
• 38% of the homeless population have less than a high school diploma by age 18
• 50% of the homeless population report dropping out of school during the course of their education

Imagine. . .

• 57% of homeless kids spend at least one day every month without food.
• Every year 20,000 homeless children are forced into prostitution
• 50% of homeless children report intense conflict or physical harm by a family member as a major reason why they are homeless
• >25% of former foster children become homeless within 2-4 years of leaving the system
• 50% of youth aging out of foster care and juvenile justice systems will be homeless within 6 months

Fact. . .

• Young people at-risk of homelessness do not fit into existing eligibility defintions and often fall through the cracks receiving no services at all, or receiving only limited services.

Want to do something NOW???

• Support the Homeless Children and Youth Act of 2011 (HR 32) which would amend the U. S. Housing and Urban Development definition of homelessness to include children, youth and their families who are verified as homeless by school district liaisons, Head Start programs, Runaway and Homeless Youth Act programs and early intervention programs under teh Individuals with Disabilites Act.
• Support the Educational Success for Children and Youth Without Homes Act (HR 1253/S 571) to strengthen educational protections and services for homeless children and youth.