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Published November 20, 2009, 01:13 AM

District gets grant to help homeless students

Over the past two years, the Hudson School District has experienced an increase in the number of homeless students. While numbers remain low overall, the population of homeless students in the district has doubled each of those years.

Over the past two years, the Hudson School District has experienced an increase in the number of homeless students. While numbers remain low overall, the population of homeless students in the district has doubled each of those years. Twenty-five Hudson students were classified as homeless last year. District Director of Student Services Cory McIntyre thinks the real number of homeless students may be greater.

“We suspect there are more students than the ones we know about. We do know the number keeps increasing and in these tough economic times, we expect even more of our students to be impacted than ever before,” said McIntyre.

According to information from the district, student homelessness is defined as “lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence” for a variety of reasons. This may include students who are:

  • sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason;

  • living in motels, hotels, or camp grounds due to a lack of alternative adequate housing;

  • living in emergency or transitional shelters;

  • abandoned in hospitals;

  • awaiting foster care placement.

    At last week’s school board meeting, it was announced that the district has received a two-year, $10,000 grant through the Homeless Student Assistance Act, a one-time payment that is part of the federal stimulus plan. Federal legislation requires that all school districts have procedures in place for identifying and enrolling homeless students. Along with other resources from the district, the grant money will help homeless students adjust and achieve academic success. The money is already being put to use to help students with transportation, school fees and school-age childcare.

    The grant also calls for staff training to recognize and deal with homeless students and their parents as well as establishing relationships with other agencies that can assist families.

    Anyone with information about a Hudson student or family or a student eligible to be enrolled in the Hudson School District experiencing homelessness can contact the principal or school counselor located at each school building or:

  • Cory McIntyre, Director of Student Services, (715)377-3703

  • Julie Johnson, School Social Worker (715)377-3800, ext. 6016

  • Mary Paulson, School Social Worker (715)377-3820, ext. 4016

     Additional information about homelessness is available at the following Web sites:

  • Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) Program,www.dpi.wi.gov/homeless

  • National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth,

    www.naehcy.org

  • National Center for Homeless Education,www.serve.org

  • National Coaltion for the Homeless,www.nationalhomeless.org

  • Campaign to End ChildHomelessness,www.homelesschildrenamerica.org

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