Unique challenges for rural students experiencing homelessness: Rural students experiencing homelessness face distinct difficulties accessing essential resources, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive support systems beyond schools.
While New York City has a complex system of shelters and support for students experiencing homelessness due to its right-to-shelter law, rural areas often lack such resources. In her article "Young and Homeless in Rural America," Samantha Shapiro shares her reporting from Gallia County, Ohio, where families faced basic needs challenges like access to showers, gas for groceries, and laundry facilities. Sandra Plants, a homeless liaison, and her husband Kevin, a juvenile probation officer, played crucial roles in supporting these students. However, schools should not be the sole source of assistance for homeless families in rural areas. The story highlights the importance of addressing the unique challenges faced by rural students experiencing homelessness and the need for comprehensive support systems.
Families Fleeing Opioid Epidemic Struggle to Find Affordable Housing: Despite leaving unsafe living conditions, families affected by the opioid epidemic face challenges in finding affordable housing, often leading to homelessness and the need for temporary shelter and support.
The opioid epidemic and its fallout have forced many families to flee their homes in search of safety and stability, only to face new challenges in finding affordable housing. The family in this story, who had to leave their subsidized housing due to dangerous living conditions, struggled to find a place they could afford. They ended up moving to Gallia County to live with Lee's father, but the situation became volatile, leaving them homeless once again. Sandra Plants, the homeless liaison at Gallia County Local Schools, stepped in to help by providing temporary shelter and guiding them through the process of applying for HUD housing. However, the limited availability and strict requirements of subsidized housing make it a long and uncertain process for families in need. The opioid epidemic has exposed the lack of resources and support for families experiencing homelessness in rural areas, highlighting the need for more comprehensive solutions.
Rural families face unique challenges in finding housing and support: Despite the efforts of communities and schools, rural families experiencing homelessness often struggle to find stable housing due to a lack of resources and support systems. Schools play a crucial role in identifying and assisting these families, but even they face challenges in providing adequate support.
The system designed to help homeless families, often referred to as the "homeless industrial complex," is not well-equipped to address the unique challenges faced by rural families experiencing homelessness. The story of Blake's family illustrates this issue, as they struggled to find stable housing for months, despite the efforts of their community and school. The lack of resources and support systems in rural areas exacerbates the problem, leaving schools as the primary source of assistance for homeless families. However, even schools face challenges in identifying and supporting these students, as the case of Plants and her district demonstrates. Despite these obstacles, Plants, the district's homeless liaison, was able to make a difference by educating herself about the McKinney Vento Act and implementing procedures to identify homeless students. Her efforts led to a significant increase in the number of identified homeless students in her district. Overall, the story highlights the urgent need for more resources and support systems to address the housing insecurity faced by rural families and the critical role schools can play in helping these families.
Challenges persist in addressing student homelessness in rural areas: Despite efforts to address student homelessness, complex funding and resource processes, underreporting, and the pandemic have hindered progress, particularly in rural areas. McKinney Vento liaisons like Valerie Plants are crucial in providing support, but challenges remain.
Despite the progress made in addressing student homelessness, there are still significant challenges, particularly in rural areas. Valerie Plants, a McKinney Vento liaison in Ohio, has been working tirelessly to provide essential supplies and support to homeless students in her district. However, the process of securing funding and resources for these efforts can be complex and inconsistent. The McKinney Vento law, which aims to eliminate barriers to education for homeless students, has not been fully understood or evenly enforced, leading to underreporting of homelessness in rural areas. In 2019, before the pandemic, the Department of Education reported that over 1.4 million school-age children were homeless, while HUD reported only 53,000 parents and children experiencing homelessness on a single night. The pandemic further complicated efforts to identify and assist homeless students, with an estimated 420,000 homeless students disappearing from the rolls during school closures. The definition of homelessness used by the Department of Education is broader than other agencies, allowing for a better understanding of the unique challenges faced by rural youth and families. Despite these challenges, the efforts of McKinney Vento liaisons like Valerie Plants represent a crucial step in addressing the problem of student homelessness in rural areas.
Homeless Students Receive Unprecedented Resources: The American Recovery Plan Act's funding for homeless students led to various initiatives, but long-term solutions for affordable and safe housing are needed.
The American Recovery Plan Act's $800,000,000 allocation for homeless students brought unprecedented resources and wider mandates for their use to many school districts. This infusion of funds led to various initiatives, such as buying motel rooms, hiring consultants, and installing discreet washing facilities. However, concerns about sustainability arose, as this was a response to the pandemic crisis, and the ongoing national crisis of homeless students requires long-term solutions. For instance, Trimble Elementary School in Athens County offers a range of resources, but the sparse, often substandard housing in the area remains a significant challenge. The story of Norma and Yvonne's families highlights the need for more affordable and safe housing options, as they faced numerous challenges in securing a stable living situation despite the school's efforts.
Living in a motel as a family brings emotional and practical challenges: Children of homeless families face emotional and academic struggles due to instability and lack of resources, leaving them feeling trapped and uncertain about their future.
The experience of being homeless and living in a motel as a family brings numerous challenges, including difficulty registering children for school, accessing the internet for homework, and affording basic necessities like food and clean clothes. The children, especially, struggle with the emotional toll of constantly moving and feeling like outsiders. A 12-year-old girl named Christine expressed her frustration and anxiety about the situation, while her brother Robert had trouble sleeping and performing well in school due to the lack of stability and sense of home. The family's situation left them with few options for entertainment or education, leading to long hours spent in the motel room. Wade, the youngest child, found joy in small moments, like visiting PetSmart and connecting with animals, but was eventually banned from the store. The family's situation left them feeling trapped and uncertain about their future.
Housing instability impacts children's education: Recognizing housing instability and addressing it can help improve children's education by reducing disruptions and addressing underlying traumas
Housing instability and homelessness significantly impact children's education. Wade and Yvonne's families faced challenges with finding affordable housing, leading to multiple disruptions in their children's schooling. Meanwhile, Kevin, a volunteer firefighter and youth pastor, highlighted the connection between chronic absence and homelessness, emphasizing that these issues are often rooted in underlying traumas. Instead of punishing truancy with criminal charges or expulsion, schools should consider a student's housing status when addressing disciplinary measures. Jennifer Erb Downward, a researcher, supports this perspective, stating that disciplining students in the usual way will not change the behavior and may further hinder their educational progress. Everett, a student who experienced homelessness throughout his life, shared how his suspension in 9th grade derailed his education, ultimately leading to a cycle of instability. Overall, addressing housing instability and recognizing its impact on education is crucial for supporting children's academic success.
Housing instability affects student attendance and academic success: Lack of stable housing can hinder a student's ability to attend school regularly and succeed academically, leading to severe consequences such as legal action and falling behind in education.
Lack of stable housing can significantly impact a student's ability to attend school regularly and succeed academically. Everett's experience illustrates this issue, as his family's struggles with obtaining a birth certificate, living in unsafe conditions, and moving frequently made it difficult for him to maintain consistent school attendance. The consequences were severe, including legal action and falling behind in his education. Sandra Plants, who works to help homeless students in Gallia County, also shares the challenges of ensuring these students get to school despite the logistical hurdles. The situation highlights the importance of addressing housing insecurity to support students' educational journeys.
A Teacher's Dedication to Student's Dream: A dedicated teacher went the extra mile to help a student overcome challenges, securing him a stable income through vocational training, even if it meant not graduating high school.
Educator Plant went above and beyond to help student T achieve his dream of graduating from high school despite numerous challenges. Despite T's unstable living situation, Plant's determination led her to find creative solutions, such as arranging for transportation and housing. However, despite her efforts, T ultimately decided against staying at a church's housing facility. Instead, his counselor suggested an alternative solution: enrolling in a masonry course at the local career tech school. Although this meant T wouldn't graduate from high school, Plant recognized the importance of securing a stable income to help him escape homelessness. Despite setbacks, Plant's unwavering commitment to T's education showcases the power of dedication and perseverance.
Determination to earn high school diploma despite challenges: Individuals can overcome obstacles and achieve goals through resilience and determination, highlighting the importance of education and support systems
Despite facing numerous challenges, including financial struggles and a lack of support, Tee remained determined to earn his high school diploma. This determination came from a desire for change and a belief that education was important, even when it seemed like an insurmountable goal. Despite setbacks, such as being locked out of an apartment, Tee continued to pursue his education as an adult. His story highlights the resilience and determination that can drive individuals to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. It also underscores the importance of having support systems in place to help individuals stay on track in their educational journeys.
The Sunday Read: ‘Young and Homeless in Rural America’
Recent Episodes from The Daily
The Day Thousands of Pagers Exploded in Lebanon
Hundreds of electronic devices carried by Hezbollah members exploded simultaneously across Lebanon on Tuesday and Wednesday in an audacious plot by Israel.
Patrick Kingsley, the Jerusalem bureau chief for The New York Times, discusses what the attack accomplished, and what it cost.
Guest: Patrick Kingsley, the Jerusalem bureau chief for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- What we know about the deadly wireless-device explosions in Lebanon.
- Israel’s pager attack was a tactical success without a strategic goal, analysts say.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Israel's Existential Threat From Within
Warning: this episode contains descriptions of violence.
In the last year, the world’s eyes have been on the war in Gaza, which still has no end in sight. But there is a conflict in another Palestinian territory that has gotten far less attention, where life has become increasingly untenable: the West Bank.
Ronen Bergman, who has been covering the conflict, explains why things are likely to get worse, and the long history of extremist political forces inside Israel that he says are leading the country to an existential crisis.
Guest: Ronen Bergman, a staff writer for The New York Times Magazine.
Background reading:
- How extremist settlers took over Israel.
- What is the West Bank and who controls it?
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
A Second Assassination Plot and the New Era of Political Violence
A suspect was charged on Monday in connection with what appears to be a second assassination attempt on Donald J. Trump.
Thomas Gibbons-Neff and Glenn Thrush, who have been covering the case, and Peter Baker, The Times’s chief White House correspondent, discuss the suspect’s background, the Secret Service’s struggle to protect the former president, and this new era of political violence.
Guests:
- Thomas Gibbons-Neff, a correspondent on the National desk of The New York Times.
- Glenn Thrush, who reports on the Justice Department for The New York Times.
- Peter Baker, the chief White House correspondent for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- What we know about the latest apparent assassination attempt.
- The case is another sign of how much the American political landscape has been shaped by anger stirred by Mr. Trump and against him.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Three Undecided Voters, Two Swing States, One Big Decision
From the moment Donald Trump and Kamala Harris walked off the debate stage, both their campaigns have argued about who won the showdown.
But the real question is what the debate meant to a small sliver of voters in a handful of swing states.
Campbell Robertson, a reporter on The Times’s National desk, and Stella Tan, a producer on “The Daily,” speak to three undecided voters about what they saw during the debate, and how much closer it brought them to a decision.
Guest:
- Campbell Robertson, a reporter for the National desk at The New York Times, who has been tracking undecided voters in Pennsylvania.
- Stella Tan, an audio producer for “The Daily,” who spoke to an undecided voter in Wisconsin.
Background reading:
- Voters said the vice president talked about a sweeping vision to fix the country’s most stubborn problems. But they wanted to hear more.
- “The Run-Up”: Here’s what undecided voters are thinking.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
The Sunday Read: ‘The For-Profit City That Might Come Crashing Down’
If Próspera were a normal town, Jorge Colindres, a freshly cologned and shaven lawyer, would be considered its mayor. His title here is “technical secretary.” Looking out over a clearing in the trees in February, he pointed to the small office complex where he works collecting taxes and managing public finances for the city’s 2,000 or so physical residents and e-residents, many of whom have paid a fee for the option of living in Próspera, on the Honduran island of Roatán, or remotely incorporating a business there.
Nearby is a manufacturing plant that is slated to build modular houses along the coast. About a mile in the other direction are some of the city’s businesses: a Bitcoin cafe and education center, a genetics clinic, a scuba shop. A delivery service for food and medical supplies will deploy its drones from this rooftop.
Próspera was built in a semiautonomous jurisdiction known as a ZEDE (a Spanish acronym for Zone for Employment and Economic Development). It is a private, for-profit city, with its own government that courts foreign investors through low taxes and light regulation. Now, the Honduran government wants it gone.
'The Interview': Demi Moore Is Done With the Male Gaze
The Story Behind ‘They’re Eating the Pets’
At this week’s presidential debate, Donald J. Trump went into an unprompted digression about immigrants eating people’s pets. While the claims were debunked, the topic was left unexplained.
Miriam Jordan, who covers the impact of immigration policies for The Times, explains the story behind the shocking claims and the tragedy that gave rise to them.
Guest: Miriam Jordan, a national immigration correspondent for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- A local official said there was “absolutely no evidence” for the outlandish claim about Haitian migrants that Mr. Trump and his campaign have amplified.
- How an Ohio town landed in the middle of the immigration debate.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
How the Election Is Sinking a $15 Billion Business Deal
In a highly unusual move, the Biden administration signaled last week that it would block a Japanese company from buying an iconic American company in a critical swing state.
Alan Rappeport, who covers the Treasury Department for The Times, discusses the politics that could doom the multibillion-dollar deal, and what it says about the new power of American labor.
Guest: Alan Rappeport, an economic policy reporter for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- President Biden is expected to block Nippon Steel’s takeover of U.S. Steel.
- How swing-state politics are sinking a global steel deal.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Harris Baits Trump: Inside Their Fiery Debate
In their first and possibly only presidential debate, Vice President Kamala Harris dominated and enraged former President Donald J. Trump.
Jonathan Swan, who covers politics and the Trump campaign for The Times, explains how a night that could have been about Ms. Harris’s record instead became about Mr. Trump’s temperament.
Guest: Jonathan Swan, a political correspondent for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- Read The Times’s live coverage of the debate as it happened.
- Who won? Here’s a sampling of the reaction.
- And here’s a fact-check on Mr. Trump and Ms. Harris.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Judge Delays Trump Sentencing Until After Election
Last week, a judge in Manhattan announced that he was delaying the sentencing of Donald J. Trump until after the election. It is the only one of the four criminal cases against the former president that will have gone to trial before voters go to the polls.
Ben Protess, an investigative reporter for The New York Times, discusses Mr. Trump’s remarkable legal win and its limits.
Guest: Ben Protess, an investigative reporter for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- Judge Juan M. Merchan delayed Trump’s sentencing until Nov. 26, after Election Day.
- Mr. Trump owes the delay in part to his legal resources and political status. It raised a question: Is he above the law?
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Related Episodes
Academic Success For Teens
Conversation with Leading Authors on Equity
Higher Ed Rewired engages listeners in a conversation with a panel of nationally recognized authors who will discuss their recent books and share insight on equity and student success. Listen to Tia Brown McNair “From Equity Talk to Equity Walk: Expanding Practitioner Knowledge for Racial Justice in Higher Education“ (2020) and “Becoming A Student Ready College” (2016), Bryan Alexander “Academia Next: The Futures of Higher Education (2021) and Lindsay Pérez Huber “Why They Hate Us: How Racist Rhetoric Impacts Education” (2021) talk about everything from the books on their bedside stands to what inspired them as scholars in their field. Whether their work informs student success strategy or guides your professional development agenda, these are the authors you want on your summer reading list.
If you haven’t already, please review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. It will help bring new listeners in to learn more about student success efforts occurring across the country.
Higher Ed ReWired is produced by California State University.
Death Resulting E1: The Crime
An early morning drug deal in a hotel bathroom ends in tragedy. Josh is charged under the federal death resulting law — a new and growing strategy for prosecutors — and faces a sentence of two decades or longer. With little doubt that Josh would be found guilty, his attorney prepares a desperate case for the judge that the punishment doesn’t fit the crime.
Document is a production of New Hampshire Public Radio. More at nhpr.org/document.
Caring for children of the opioid epidemic
Generations of children have been impacted by the opioid crisis. Children with a parent or guardian who struggles with opioid dependency often feel isolated and don't know where to turn for support. In this episode, we explore Camp Mariposa, a program run by Eluna that provides a safe and fun environment for children and teaches them important life skills.
Guests
Brian Maus, Director of Addiction Prevention and Mentoring Programs at Eluna
Kobe, mentor and former attendee at Camp Mariposa
Kaia, mentor and former attendee at Camp Mariposa
Resources:
To learn more about what Emergent is doing to combat the opioid epidemic, visit www.emergentbiosolutions.com
Microsoft Outlook Foils Starbucks' Union Busting Efforts, Dave's Experience with Opioids, and The Tale of the Unflushable Poop!
This Episode has EVERYTHING!
It's got:
- We Eliminate Cottonmouth!
- Dave Goes Off The Rails Immediately!
- LEONARD!
- Hydration Is Important!
- Sing Songs!
- Starbucks Fucks Up Attempt At Union Busting!
- Step By Step Hat Washing Process!
- Shoe Cleaning!
- Typical, Relatable Relationship Chats!
- Dave is Definitely An Asshole!
- IKEA Trip!
- Sklar Peppler!
- Dave's Comfy Undies!
- Paul Spills the Tea!
- LEONARD!
- Shakespeare!
- Hollow Apologies AND Victories!
- Give A Warm Welcome To ANITA DRINK!
- To Avoid Spoilers For "Drag Race UK vs The World", Please Skip To the Following Time: 25:47!
- Jujubee - The Susan Lucci of Drag Race!
- Dave's Opioid Fight!
- The Fight Against Fascism Is Real!
- Alt-Right Should Be a Banned Term!
- There Aren't Two Sides To The Story!
- Dave's Opinions!
- Our Favourite Episodes!
- Wait...Dave Shat On the Floor???!!!
- SOMEONE SHIT IN THE WASHING MACHINE!
- Dave's An Embarrassment!
- A Log of Power!
- Paul Explains Jokes To Dave's Half Witted Ears!
- Paul Is SO Cerebral!
Episode Links (In Order):
- Starbucks Misses The Deadline!
- Sklar Peppler!
- Interim Conservative Party of Canada Leader Is A White Nationalist (Allegedly)!
- Another Story About The Twunt CP Leader!
- The Unpopular Trucker Convoy!
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