How to Help Homeless* Students in the State College Area School District
Homeless Liaison-Jeanne Knouse
154 W. Nittany Ave.
State College, PA  16801
(814) 231-1054    E-mail mailto:jmk37@scasd.org

 Who is homeless*?
 Anyone who, due to a lack of housing, lives
  •   In emergency or transitional shelters
  •   In motels, hotels, campgrounds, abandoned in hospitals, awaiting foster care
  •   In cars, parks, public places, bus or train stations, abandoned buildings (living on the street)
  •   Doubled up with relatives or friends
  •   Migratory children living in these conditions
  •   Students moving from home to home


What can you do if:

  •  You suspect a student may be homeless?

Consult with your school counselor

  •  You become aware that a student is homeless?

Call Student Services at 231-1054

  •  You have a homeless student in your class who seems to be in need of some specific school or           personal items to be purchase?       

Contact the Family Outreach Specialist at 231-1070 or the Student Services Office at 231-1054 to access a special budget.


What are some common signs of homelessness?
  • Lack of continuity in education
                    —  attendance at many schools
                    —  lack of records needed for enrollment
                    —  gaps in skill development
  • Poor Health, nutrition
                   —  lack of immunizations/records
                   —  unmet medical and dental needs
                   —  chronic hunger (may hoard food)
                   —  fatigue (may fall asleep in class)

  • Transportation and attendance problems
                  —  erratic attendance or tardiness
                  —  inability to contact parents
                  —  numerous absences
                  —  avoidance of class field trips

  •  Poor hygiene
                 —  wearing same clothes for several days
                 —  lack of shower facility or washers to stay clean

  • Not ready for class
                —  lack of basic school supplies
                —  concern for the safety of belongs
                —  incomplete or missing homework

  • Social and behavioral cues
               —  Change in behavior
               —  "Old" beyond years
               —  Protective of parents
               —  Poor/short attention span
               —  Poor self-esteem
               —  Difficulty or avoidance of making friends
               —  Difficulty trusting people
               —  Need for immediate gratification

  • Reactions/Statements by Parent, Guardian or Child
                  —  Anger of embarrassment when asked about current address
                  —  Mention of staying with grandparents, other relatives, friends, or a motel
                  —  Comments such as:  "Our address is new; I can't remember it," or "We're going through a bad time right now"
                

Protective Factors That You Can Provide to Assure That the Students Have a "Normal Level of Participation in School Activities:

                  —  Take steps to form caring and supportive relationships with students and their parents and other support
                        people in their lives
                  —  Be aware that there are resources to help students participate in all school activities

*This can also relate to students who are living in unsettled living situations


Housing Assistance Available Locally:

Housing Transitions-237-4863 and Centre County Housing Case Manager-237-1944 
                                             Centre County Women's Resource Center - 234-5222
                                             Centre County Youth Service Bureau - 237-5731
                                                          — Stepping Stone-ages 16-20 with no other living arrangements
                                                          — Burrowes Street Youth Haven - 234-2100  21 day therapeutic living including  intensive
                                                               reunification efforts with family
                                                          — Stormbreak 234-2100-dependent or delinquent females ages 11-17 

For more information:
Pennsylvania Department of Education:
www.pde.state.pa.us/homeless - click on Homeless Education in left column  

Homeless Shelter Directory

Burrowes Street Youth Haven
330 S. Burrowes St.
State College, PA  16801
Hotline: 814-234-2100    Office 814-234-0803
http://www.ccysb.com

Stepping Stone Transitional Living
334 S. Burrowes St.
State College, PA  16801
814-234-2632
http://www.ccysb.com

Women's Resource Center
140 W. Nittany Ave.
State College, PA  16801
814-234-5222
http://www.ccwrc.org

Housing Transitions
217 E. Nittany Ave.
State College, PA  16801
814-237-5508
http://www.housingtransitions.com

To view a copy of the State College Area School District Homeless Student Policy #251: Homeless Students


           
More information on Pennsylvania’s Homeless Initiative and services available can be located on the following web sites:

The Pennsylvania Department of Education's web site: www.pde.state.pa.us/homeless 

The National Center for Homeless Education's web site: http://www.serve.org/nche/index.php

                 

             
              


               

                







         




 
                
         
Last Modified on October 4, 2012