Sign of Homelessness

 

Some signs that may indicate a family attempting to enroll is experiencing homelessness are:

 

 

• Parent exhibits anger or embarrassment when asked current address.

• Parent may hide lack of a permanent address with comments such as "it's a new address, I can't remember it, I will bring it later."

• Parent appears confused when asked what school child has last attended.

• Parent has no medical records or school records in hand.

• Parent may credit reasons for poor appearance and / or hygiene ("we've been unpacking, traveling, etc.")

 

How you can help homeless children and their families in the enrollment process:

 

 

• If you think a family may be homeless, assure them that their child can enroll even if the family doesn't have a "regular place to live" right now.

• If possible, take the family to a private location in the building for enrollment.

• Offer help in completing forms. Hesitation may indicate an inability to read.

• Enroll the child immediately (without medical records). Ask for the name and city of the last schools attended, call that school and ask to have the records sent.

• Without the child's academic records, proper placement may be difficult. Solicit the help of a teacher to assess the child's academic status to avoid misplacement.

• Give the child paper and pencils to take into the classroom; arrange for lunch.

• Be sensitive, patient, calm and reassuring. You can make a difference.