Homeless Education Program

Funded by funded by a federal sub-grant, this program provides a homeless liaison to the Ballston Spa Central School District. The liaison helps homeless families with school-age children find appropriate services while helping students remain in their school of origin. The program also allows the school district to fully comply with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act regarding homeless youth.

Referrals for the Homeless Education Program come from a variety of sources. New students are identified either at Central Registration or from Saratoga County Department of Social Services. Current students who become homeless are identified by school personnel. Once they are identified, the Homeless Coordinator meets with the parents or students to discuss their situation and explain the program. Students are reviewed on a regular basis to monitor their homeless status.

The most common scenario this program sees are families who are considered working poor. Both parents work and had housing at one point. Sometimes the housing is condemned or there is a house fire. Sometimes clients are illegally evicted or they fall behind in rent (often due to a medical emergency or job loss). Many times when affordable housing is lost, finding new affordable housing becomes nearly impossible. In addition, many of these families have a poor credit rating, and it is becoming more common for landlords to require a credit report prior to signing a rental agreement.

Many families are headed by single, working-mothers. These families face the challenges of limited income, resources, and support systems.

Another growing homeless population are “unaccompanied youth.” These are teens that either live alone or move from friend to friend due to conflicts at home. Many of these teens report that their parents refuse to let them stay at home and/or provide for them. Unaccompanied youth are connected with services at CAPTAIN and other community resources, as well as assistance with school supplies.

All students enrolled in the Homeless Education Program receive free school meals, school supplies and clothing, as well as field trip fees and referrals to counseling and medical resources.

To contact the Ballston Spa Coordinator, call 884-7195 and ask for the Homeless Liaison.

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