New reports from the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the School District of Philadelphiai show that 8,363 children and youth were identified as homeless 2021-2022 in Philadelphia, a significant increase from previous years.
What can we learn from these reports?
HopePHL has summarized these reports of the Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH) programs managed by PDE and SDP. We hope this summary informs practitioners and policy makers about children and youth experiencing homelessness in Pennsylvania. Find the PDE report here and read the SDP report here.
ECYEH is a federally-funded program managed by PDE, which contracts with eight regions throughout the state for local implementation, including to the SDP. The SDP uses the funds for staffing, to train school personnel in 300 public district and charter schools and provide direct services like uniforms, transportation, mentoring, summer programming, school supplies, and more.
HopePHL has summarized the reports as a continuation of its series called the Children Cannot Wait Campaign.. In this paper, HopePHL summarizes key data and offers recommendations. Find additional information on Children Cannot Wait at Children Cannot Wait: Recommendations to Governor Shapiro - HopePHL.
We encourage policy makers and their staff, funders, child service agencies, school personnel, family advocates and others to read and to understand the data and consider expanding efforts to reach out to children and youth who experience homelessness.
HopePHL’s Children Cannot Wait Campaign explores how Philadelphia can strengthen the resiliency of children, youth and families experiencing homelessness. Since 2022, the Campaign has produced policy briefs on homelessness and proposed recommendations for the candidates for Pennsylvania’s Governor’s office and the race for Philadelphia’s Mayoral office.
HopePHL recognizes and commends the thousands of school personnel who work with homeless students every day. We are grateful for the State and Federal leadership for supporting the Education for Children and Youth Program.
Questions? Email here.
