As someone who works with APS students and families, you are in a unique position to help us identify students who may be experiencing homelessness and need assistance.
Identifying students experiencing homelessness
Being homeless does not always mean living in a shelter or on the street. “Homeless” is defined as lacking a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.
This includes any child:
- Living in a shelter
- Living in a motel or campground due to the lack of an alternative, adequate accommodation
- Living in a car, park, abandoned building, or bus or train station
- Doubled up with other people due to loss of housing or economic hardship
- Not living with a parent or guardian due to hardship or an emergency circumstance
Common signs that a student may be experiencing homelessness:
- Lacks basic utilities
- Attends different schools; lacks personal records; inability to pay fees
- Unmet medical or dental needs
- Sick often; chronic hunger or fatigue
- Attendance issues
- Poor hygiene
- Lack of basic supplies
- Consistent loss of books and supplies
- Marked change in behavior
Please contact us for a full list or visit
https://nche.ed.gov/nche/warning.html.
If you believe a student you work with may be experiencing homelessness, please contact:
projectrise@apslearns.org.