February 2001 
Homeless education helps kids find success By Sheldon J. Reber, Director of School and Community Relations
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E very school day, up to 400 homeless children in Eureka are missing valuable classroom lessons. Through no fault of their own, their chances of attaining academic success slowly slips away. Their desperate situation will soon change for the better thanks to The Homeless Education Project, an exciting program developed by Eureka City Schools. The Homeless Education Project strives to improve educational opportunities for Eureka's homeless children. According to Maureen Chase, the program director for the project, "Eureka City Schools will provide strategies designed to help homeless students overcome educational, developmental, and emotional barriers." "The main goal of this project is to help the homeless youth of Eureka enroll, attend, and find success in school, giving them the most essential key in creating a positive future for themselves," stated Chase. Chase tells of some startling statistics that show the challenges homeless children face. For example, within a single year 41% of homeless students attend two different schools and 28% attend three or more schools. Every time a child changes schools, he or she may lose 4 to 6-months of academic and developmental time. In addition, on average, homeless students perform well below grade level in all academic areas. "These statistics demonstrate the essential need for homeless students to be connected with services that will support their success in school," Chase explained. The Homeless Education Project will give students access to the district's core curriculum by actively enrolling them in Eureka City Schools. Once enrolled, the students will also be connected to services in the school and community to help them meet their basic needs and overcome the academic barriers. Rachel Jensen, the educational liaison for the project, will serve as the cornerstone of the program, working directly with homeless students, family, schools, and social agencies. The district has already established a homeless outreach office at Eureka's Serenity Inn and plans to have a presence at St. Vincent's Dining Hall. Tutor/advocates from Humboldt State University and College of the Redwoods will utilize the district's eight school-based Community Learning Centers for one-on-one after-school tutoring sessions. Transportation to school will be provided by the district. The project plans include inservice and education for school and community about the needs of homeless families. Collaborations with private and public entities that serve the homeless have been, and will continue to be developed. The district's Homeless Education Project is supported by at $150,000 federal grant from the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act. For more information contact Rachel Jensen at 442-4836 or Maureen Chase at 668-4062.
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