The social and educational status of children from homeless families was studied in four cohorts of Cleveland (Ohio) public school students who requested transportation from homeless shelters for the school years from 1987-88 to 1990-91. Total cohort size ranged from the 1987-88 high of 39 students to the 1990-91 low of 22 students, with 36…

This booklet for teachers and administrators presents suggestions for addressing the needs of homeless children as they enter school, and for helping the children feel safe, comfortable, part of the group, able to contribute and participate, and important and valued. Tips and recommendations are presented under the following headings: (1) school…

The North Carolina Conference for Social Services invited North Carolina policymakers and service providers to participate in a working conference in January 1991. The conference addressed issues relating to homeless families in North Carolina. Goals of the conference were to: (1) increase the potential for collaboration on behalf of homeless…

This publication represents the first report tailored to a non-specialist audience from an extensive case study in the Philippines, one of five country studies selected as the first project of the Urban Child Program of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) International Child Development center. The Philippines study focuses explicitly on…

Calls for a new vision of child welfare, indicates schools' role, distinguishes between education and schooling, advocates new collaborative systems for children and families, and identifies implications meriting attention and action. Aims to initiate an expanded dialog around children's and families' rights and revisit ways to establish caring…

Synthesizes research findings from 10 studies on urban homeless families; and details their demographic characteristics, including the number of children, race, ethnicity, and family composition. Focus is on mothers with children and the effects of homelessness on children. (SLD)

Considers state and national policies directed toward the homeless. Problems with policies for immunization and vaccination requirements, transportation, parent participation, domestic violence, and home schooling are discussed. Alternative solutions that may be more conducive to the education of the homeless are offered. (SLD)

A study on family structure and values among the poorest of all welfare recipients, homeless families found that not only has the traditional family structure broken down, but that there are stark contradictions between the reality of the lives of homeless women and the values they hold. The traditional family may actually be obsolete for this…

This paper presents excerpts from the author's diary describing the experiences encountered while conducting the Theater Workshop Project, a project designed for enhancing the literacy of homeless mothers and children. The project's objectives and techniques are to: (1) use storytelling in the shelters as an entertaining vehicle to begin to build…

This report on the state of children in the United States begins with a call to action that points out the destructive effects of poverty, violence, and drug use on America's children while outlining 10 needed steps that should be followed to help alleviate these problems. The greater part of the report focuses on: (1) health; (2) child care; (3)…

Introduces background issues regarding the education of homeless children in urban areas, focusing on problems of definition and identification and sociological factors related to homelessness. An overview is provided of the articles of the special issue. The challenges are how to meet the needs of an amorphous and troubled population. (SLD)

Presents the case study of a transitional school for homeless children that specifically targets their educational needs through an interagency attempt to serve poor families and children in an inner-city setting in Charlotte (North Carolina). Findings and recommendations based on this interagency approach are discussed. (SLD)

As required by law, state education agencies receiving funds under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act submitted reports on the number and location of homeless children and youth in their states to the U.S. Department of Education. These reports also include data on the nature and extent of problems of access to education and student…

This publication presents the New Jersey State plan for the education of children of homeless families under the guidelines of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1987. An introduction reviews current demographics of the homeless population, particularly children and youth, and highlights planned state responses. A second section…

Focuses on the educational needs of homeless children in New York City, obstacles to obtaining schooling and available services, and innovative strategies for the delivery of educational services. Part 1 provides an overview of the educational needs of homeless children, including a summary of the research literature on educational problems that…