Resources for Shelters &
Community-Based Organizations
These curated resources for shelters will help you in your work to identify and support students experiencing homelessness.
The Educational Rights of Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness: What Service Providers Need to Know
The resource outlines what you need to know about the law regarding children and youth experiencing homelessness in education. This brief will discuss a) which children are eligible under the definition in the law; b) what rights and services school districts provide; c) how the law is implemented in school districts; and d) how community agencies and school districts can coordinate services for homeless children and youth more effectively (National Center for Homeless Education Supporting the Education of Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness, 2018).
Early Childhood Self-Assessment Tool for Shelters
Shelters have the potential to be a positive, stable force in the lives of displaced children and mitigate the negative impact that homelessness can have on their development by creating an environment that is safe and developmentally appropriate. This self-assessment tool for shelters serves as a guide to support the safe and healthy development of young children in a shelter setting.
Trauma-Informed Homeless Services
This series of briefs from the Family and Children’s Trust Fund (FACT) of Virginia explores trauma and trauma-informed care. Each addition in this series will discuss the ways in which trauma may be experienced at different points in the lifespan, how trauma may impact the individual, what some possible social, emotional or physical impacts may be, and some promising interventions and resources (FACT, 2014).
Resources for Supporting Special Populations
Supporting students experiencing homelessness with an understanding of their individual experiences and the unique barriers they face is critical to your work. Follow the links below to resources for supporting these special populations.
