Head Start and Homelessness
James A. Scott, Jr., Ph.D.
Director
Head Start State Collaboration Office
Ohio Department of Education
Head Start in Ohio
• 66 Head Start grantees and delegate agencies
• 36,854 children in Head Start and Early Head
Start
• 5th largest Head Start enrollment in the country
Head Start in Ohio
• Federal funding for Ohio: over $248 million
• Migrant/Seasonal Head Start provided to over
900 children
• Fall 2009: Expecting an expansion of more
children in Head Start and Early Head Start
Poverty in Ohio
•
•
Three of the top 10 poorest cities are in Ohio
#2 Cleveland (30.5%)
#7 Cincinnati (25.1%)
#8 Toledo (24.7%)
Poverty rate for Ohio’s children under 18
increased from 19.1% in 2007 to 21% in 2008
(530,000 to 575,000)
(COHHIO,2009)
Homelessness in Ohio
• On any one night in 2009 - 12,463 Ohioans were
homeless
• Homeless families generally:
- have lower incomes
- are younger
- more likely to include a pregnant adult and less
likely to have a housing subsidy than their nonhomeless, low-income counterparts
(COHHIO, 2009)
Impact of Homelessness
on Children and Families
• 2007-2008 school year: 794,617 homeless
children and youth enrolled in public schools
• State of the economy and the mortgage and
foreclosure crisis have increased the number of
homeless families
• Two trends: shortage of affordable housing and
an increase in severe poverty
(Duffield, Heybach & Julianelle, 2009)
Impact of Homelessness
on Children and Families
• Impacts a child’s health and well-being
• Related to increased rates of hunger; inability to
focus and concentrate; increased absences;
chronic illnesses
All of these health risks increase the chances that
a homeless child will fall behind in school.
(Duffield, Heybach & Julianelle, 2009)
The McKinney-Vento Act
• Defines homeless children and youth as
“Individuals who lack a fixed, regular and
adequate nighttime residence”
• Ensures that children and youth receive the
support they need to enroll, attend and succeed
in school
(Duffield, Heybach & Julianelle, 2009)
The McKinney-Vento Act
• State Education Agency required to establish an
Office of State Coordinator for the Education of
Homeless Children and Youth
• Every Local Education Agency (LEA) is required
to:
- designate a Liaison for students in homeless situations
- ensure that school personnel identify homeless children
and youth
- conduct additional identification through coordination
with other entities and agencies(Duffield, Heybach&Julianelle, 2009)
Homelessness and Young Children
• National survey: over 40% of children living in
shelters are under the age of five
• Head Start children experiencing homelessness
have greater developmental delays and exhibit a
higher frequency of socio-emotional problems in
comparison to non-homeless children served by
Head Start.
(Burt, Aron & Douglas, 1999)
Head Start and Homeless Children
• Definition of homelessness in the Head Start Act
is the same as in the McKinney-Vento Act
• Homeless children are categorically eligible for
Head Start.
• The Head Start Act requires the Secretary of the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
to issue regulations for serving homeless
children.
(Duffield, Heybach & Julianelle, 2009)
Head Start and Homeless Children
• In 2008, Ohio Head Start programs served 650
homeless children in 540 homeless families.
• In 2008, 335 homeless families in Ohio acquired
housing.
• Head Start State Collaboration Directors must
develop a strategic plan that will enhance
collaboration and coordination with and services
for homeless children.
(Duffield, Heybach & Julianelle, 2009)
Head Start and Homeless Children
• Head Start agencies must coordinate and
collaborate with programs under Subtitle VII-B
of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance
Act.
• Head Start programs must establish channels of
communication between Head Start staff and
McKinney-Vento liaisons to facilitate
coordination of programs.(Duffield, Heybach & Julianelle, 2009)
Head Start and Homeless Children
• Head Start programs must develop and implement a
family outreach and support program in
coordination with outreach efforts under the
McKinney-Vento Act.
• Early Head Start programs must coordinate services
with programs in the community for homeless
infants and toddlers.
(Duffield, Heybach & Julianelle, 2009)
Access to Early Childhood Education for
Homeless Children
• Public School Preschool
• Head Start and Early Head Start
• IDEA Part C
(Duffield, Heybach & Julianelle, 2009)
References
• Burt, Aron & Douglas. (1999). Homelessness:
Programs and the People They Serve:
Summary Report – Findings of the national
Survey of Homeless Assistance Providers and
Clients. Washington, D.C.: The Urban Institute.
• Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in
Ohio. (2009). October Monthly Newsletter.
References
Duffield, B., Heybach, L., & Julianelle, P. (2009).
Educating children without housing: A primer
on legal requirements and implementation
strategies for educators, advocates and
policymakers (3rd ed.). Washington, D.C.:
American Bar Association, Commission on
Homelessness and Poverty.