ECE Professionals Asked to Take Survey on Resources for Children Experiencing Homelessness

The Pennsylvania Youth Homelessness Coalition is asking early childhood education professionals to take part in a survey to help the organization better understand which services and resources are helping children and youth experiencing homelessness to succeed in school. The survey also aims to collect information on where additional support is needed.

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State Head Start and Early Head Start programs and other partners who work with children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness are asked to participate and help the coalition to reach others who may have valuable perspectives.

The survey takes about five to 10 minutes to complete. Those who take it are asked to share it with others in their networks, especially:

• People with lived experience, including parents and young people

• ECYEH staff

• School district McKinney-Vento/homeless liaisons

• Teachers, principals, counselors, and other school staff

• Community-based organizations serving children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness

• Early childhood programs and other partners whose work connects with families experiencing housing instability 

The survey asks about approaches that have been successful in helping students experiencing homelessness participate and succeed in school as well as resources or supports that schools and communities still need.

Survey participants are encouraged to think particularly about spending in the following categories:

• Programs to support outreach, identification, housing navigation, and casework support for unstably-housed students and families

• Creating basic-needs pantries in schools - including washers and dryers - so students who might be living in motels or shelters have access to facilities and supplies they might lack

• Emergency, short-term housing

• Supporting timely transportation to and from school via gas cards, bicycles, and public transit passes

• Investing in therapeutic services for students experiencing homelessness 

• Academic tutoring and support outside the classroom

Responses will help to inform the PA Youth Homelessness Coalition’s statewide advocacy efforts to strengthen educational support for children and youth experiencing homelessness.

The survey is available online.