More than 750 students were identified as homeless during the last school year
According to an Oregon Department of Education (ODE) report out today, 753 Bend-La Pine Schools students were identified as homeless during the 2011-12 school year. In all, 4.63 percent of the District’s 16,275 students were identified under the federal definition of homelessness last school year.
This is a slight increase over the previous year when 726 students were identified as homeless. Statewide, ODE reports that more than 20,370 public school students were identified as homeless during the same time period.
Oregon Deputy Superintendent Rob Saxton said that the number of homeless students has increased over the years at pace with unemployment and housing foreclosures rates both here in
“Our students and families are very resilient,” said Arntson. “But unexpected changes in income, employment and housing can quickly change living situations.”
Arntson says that the District’s school staff, Family Access Network (FAN) Advocates, and the District’s Project HELP Coordinator (homeless liaison) work together to ensure that during these tough times, barriers to a student’s education are reduced.
Saxton adds, “For our families and students in crisis their local homeless liaison is often that first responder, that hero.”
“Our overriding goal, as we work with families, is to stabilize the school experience for all children and keep the continuum of learning constant,” Arntson said.
Arntson says that FAN Advocates work to assist students and/or families with basic needs, such as school supplies, while the Project HELP Coordinator assists families in enrolling students in school, signing them up for free meals, and setting up transportation plans to ensure they remain at their home school, even during times of homelessness.
“Homelessness affects all of us,” said Saxton. “The recent recession hit many of our families hard, and far too many of our students don’t have the security of a permanent home or a reliable next meal. Until our students’ basic needs are met, they will not be able to fulfill their potential at school. As we approach the holiday season, I want to encourage everyone to do something extra this year to help our neighbors and fellow Oregonians. Our liaisons are doing an incredible job of supporting our homeless youth, but they cannot do it alone. If we are going to build the state we want for our kids, we must work together to end the cycle of poverty and give all of our students a shot at a bright and hopeful future.”
FEDERAL DEFINITION OF HOMELESS
Under the federal McKinney-Vento Act Program for Education of Homeless Students, also called “Title X,” homeless students are defined as those students who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence. A homeless family could live in an emergency shelter or share housing with others due to loss of housing or economic hardship, stay at motels, or live in cars, parks, public places, tents, trailers, or other similar settings. For more information and a definition of Title X go to: http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=1973.
BEND-LA PINE SCHOOLS HISTORICAL INFORMATION
288 students, or 2.03 percent, were identified as being homeless during the 2003-04 school year.
236 students, or 1.62 percent, were identified as being homeless during the 2004-05 school year.
391 students, or 2.62 percent, were identified as being homeless during the 2005-06 school year.
518 students, or 3.38 percent, were identified as being homeless during the 2006-07 school year.
624 students, or 3.94 percent, were identified as being homeless during the 2007-08 school year.
709 students, or 4.44 percent, were identified as being homeless during the 2008-09 school year.
799 students, or 5.1 percent, were identified as being homeless during the 2009-10 school year.
726 students, or 4.5 percent, were identified as being homeless during the 2010-11 school year.
Dana Arntson can be reached at 541.355.1028.
