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Accomplishments /
FAQ /
Testimonial
Purpose
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.
Accomplishments
More than 50 youth received services through the homeless
liaison during the 2005-06 school year.
FAQ
How do you contact the Ballston Spa coordinator?
Call 884-7195 and ask for the Homeless Liaison.
Can my district receive these services?
All schools have a homeless liaison. To partner with the
Prevention Council, call 518-581-1230.
Testimonial
During the month of November, a high school student in the homeless
student program exhibited academic improvement. This family had
experienced chronic homelessness since March, when they had to
evacuate substandard housing. The family has had to double up
with friends and stay in unoccupied camps while they continue to
search for permanent housing. As a result, the oldest student
began to have difficulty at school. The services I was able to
provide -- maintaining direct contact with the mother, obtaining
an after-school tutor for the older student, coordinating
transportation for the students, providing the children with
clothing and school supplies, and connecting the family with
community resources -- enabled the oldest child to turn around
the academic difficulties and find success.
For more information,
please call 518-581-1230. |
