Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness and Their Families

Abstract

Abstract Schools and school districts across the United States are faced with the challenge of supporting students who experience homelessness as well as their families. There are more than 1.5 million identified homeless students nationwide, although the actual numbers are likely higher due to the challenge of identification. Research demonstrates that homeless students are at higher risk for multiple adverse outcomes and therefore it is important that school-based professionals implement practices that promote homeless students’ access and success in school. This chapter presents a holistic ecological approach, based on a three-layered intervention plan, for supporting homeless students and their families. The three layers include (a) the preliminary and necessary step of implementing the McKinney-Vento Act for homeless students at the school and district levels, as well as the ongoing assessment of the implementation at the local context; (b) promoting a positive school experience for homeless students through data collection and monitoring, the promotion of poverty-aware schools, and the endorsement of local initiatives of members of the school community to support homeless students; and (c) utilizing mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in direct practice with homeless students and their families. The chapter provides concrete practical tools for implementing different parts of the intervention plan.