Early Learning Project
October 2009 When Children Are Homeless: How Preschool Teachers and Caregivers Can HelpJim Moberly
Online Resources
- Homeless Education in Illinois
This Web page includes links to information on state grants, resources, publications, laws, and liaisons related to the education of homeless children and youth.
http://www.isbe.state.il.us/homeless/default.htm - Homeless Prevention Program
The Homeless Prevention Program provides rental assistance, utility assistance, and supportive services to eligible individuals and families who are homeless or who are in danger of eviction or foreclosure.
http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30360 - Emergency Food and Shelter
The Emergency Food and Shelter program gives immediate and comprehensive shelter services to persons who are homeless and persons at risk of becoming homeless. Services are provided at shelters run by nonprofit organizations and local governments.
http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30362 - Fact Sheet: Vulnerable Young Children
This fact sheet begins by highlighting several factors that have been found to promote positive outcomes for all vulnerable young children and their families. Subsequent sections provide data on specific populations of at risk children.
http://www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/factsheet_vulnerable.pdf - Reading on the Go! Volume 1: Students Who Are Highly Mobile and Reading Instruction
This report from the National Center for Homeless Education discusses highly mobile students and reviews the literature on reading instruction, particularly research on reading and high poverty. The report helps practitioners better understand the needs of highly mobile students and make research-based decisions when selecting programs.
http://center.serve.org/nche/downloads/reading_on_the_go.pdf - Reading on the Go! Volume 2: A Handbook of Resources
This handbook is the second installment in a project supported by the National Center for Homeless Education to explore reading instruction for students experiencing high mobility as a result of high poverty. Volume 2 focuses on supplemental instruction for children experiencing homelessness in preschool and elementary grades.
http://center.serve.org/nche/downloads/reading_on_the_go2.pdf - Homelessness and Young Children: Early Childhood Care and Education. Minibibliography
This bibliography includes a selection of resources that address the needs and educational rights of young children experiencing homelessness, as well as strategies for working with these vulnerable children and their families in early childhood care and education programs.
http://www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/homeless.pdf
Illinois Early Learning Resources
- Young Children’s Mental Health: What Is Essential?
http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/mental-essential.htm - Please Don't Go! Separation Anxiety and Children
http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/sepanxiety.htm - IEL Chat: Young Children's Mental Health
http://illinoisearlylearning.org/chat/wulfsohn/index.htm
Organizations
- National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE)
NCHE at SERVE
P.O. Box 5367
Greensboro, NC 27435
Telephone: 800-308-2145
Fax: 336-315-7457
Email: homeless@serve.org
http://center.serve.org/nche/index.php - Institute for Children and Poverty (ICP)
Institute for Children and Poverty
44 Cooper Square, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10003
Telephone: 212-358-8086
Fax: 212-358-8090
Email: info@icpny.org
http://www.icphusa.org
Additional Resources
- Strengthening Homeless Parents with Young Children through Meaningful Parent Education and Support
Author(s): Swick, Kevin J.
Source: Early Childhood Education Journal, v36 n4 p327-32
Publication Date: 2009
Homeless parents of young children confront several barriers to developing effective parenting skills and dispositions. Perhaps the major barrier is that of the negative stereotype that many people use to label them. They also often have not had positive parent role models and in many cases have had to deal with the issues of violence. Parent education and support strategies can play a key role in helping homeless parents develop positive and nurturing parenting skills. - Exploring the Dynamics of Teacher Perceptions of Homeless Children and Families during the Early Years
Author(s): Powers-Costello, Elizabeth; Swick, Kevin J.
Source: Early Childhood Education Journal, v36 n3 p241-5
Publication Date: 2008
The perceptions teachers have of homeless children and their families are a significant influence on children and parents. These perceptions of teachers are explored from a social justice view and in relation to barriers that may impede teacher development of nurturing and supportive perspectives. Effective strategies for helping teachers strengthen their perspectives of homeless children and families are presented and discussed. - The Dynamics of Violence and Homelessness among Young Families
Author(s): Swick, Kevin James
Source: Early Childhood Education Journal, v36 n1 p81-5
Publication Date: 2008
Violence is one of the most prevalent elements in the lives of homeless families with young children. This violence may come in various forms: domestic violence, street violence, violence in one's childhood, witnessing violence, and other avenues and modes. Violence disrupts the normal bonding between parent and child. It isolates and degrades families. Early childhood professionals can support parents and children who are victims of violence through support, education, and nurturance. - Helping Homeless Families Overcome Barriers to Successful Functioning
Author(s): Swick, Kevin J.
Source: Early Childhood Education Journal, v33 n3 p195-200
Publication Date: 2005-12-00
The author articulates key stressors in the lives of families who are homeless. These stresses often combine with barriers such as lack of job opportunities and/or insensitive professionals. Strategies for helping homeless families overcome these barriers and related issues are presented. - Child Care for Families Who Are Homeless: A Model of Comprehensive Early Childhood Services
Author(s): Rafanello, Donna
Source: Child Care Information Exchange, n156 p58-64
Publication Date: 2004
Compared with housed poor children, homeless children experience worse health, more developmental delays, more anxiety, depression, behavioral problems, and lower educational achievement. This article discusses how child care programs help homeless children and their families live more stable lives. - The Dynamics of Families Who Are Homeless: Implications for Early Childhood Educators
Author(s): Swick, Kevin J.
Source: Childhood Education, v80 n3 p116
Publication Date: 2004
The focus of this article is on articulating the various dynamics of families who are homeless, what this means for the early childhood education profession, and what strategies can be employed to effectively support homeless families with young children. - Changes in the Social Skills and Behavior Problems of Homeless and Housed Children during the Preschool Year
Author(s): Koblinsky, Sally A.; Gordon, Amy L.; Anderson, Elaine A.
Source: Early Education and Development, v11 n3 p321-38
Publication Date: 2000
Comparing social competence and mental health of homeless and permanently housed Head Start preschoolers, parents and teachers identified more behavioral problems in homeless than housed children. After 6 months, mothers reported declines in homeless children's compliance. Teachers noted declines in their compliance and expressive skills. Homeless preschoolers had greater increases in behavior problems over 6 months than housed preschoolers.
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