Last year in Thurston County, there were 1,506 public school children who were unhoused. More than 43,000 K-12 students in Washington state alone were without homes last year.
In Washington state, there are many supports in place for unhoused youth. This includes McKinney Vento Liaisons, programs like Together! Host Homes and community projects. Spreading awareness about these programs increases the number of assisted students.
Many government agencies struggle to agree upon a definition for “homelessness.” In the case of our youth, the definition is clear: living in their car, public spaces, couch surfing, at shelters and doubled up.
These youth carry mental and physical burdens from place to place. Sometimes the weight is too heavy and it shows up as outbursts in school, which can lead to suspension, expulsion and run-ins with the court system. Without proper mental health support, these youth could be facing disciplinary action or mental health crises.
What can be done to prevent these outcomes? The answer is simple: in-school support and community-based solutions. School is a place where kids can be kids; their day is guided, and instead of worrying about where they’ll sleep they can focus on learning. Many students are identified at school by staff such as teachers and guidance counselors. These faculty members wear many hats, so it’s impossible for them to be there for every student. That’s why we need more McKinney Vento Liaisons.
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a law that ensures students experiencing homelessness have rights to education.
The liaisons, by law, are in place to ensure students receive the support they need. They act as coordinators, trusting adults and a listening ear for these children experiencing hard times. Additionally, they make it easier for children to stay in school when their housing situation abruptly changes. This connection to education, friends and activity keeps students engaged and ready to learn.
Not having a home can be detrimental to one’s mental health and behaviors. At this point, we have to think, “How do we house these students?”
In Tumwater, Olympia and North Thurston public school districts, Together! Host Homes is a community-based short-term housing solution for youth aged 13-21. This program pairs students with adults living in the district, making it possible to continue education and receive the support they need.
Youth homelessness is a broad spectrum, where less severe cases can be forgotten. With political turbulence impacting government aid programs, it’s clear that government reliance isn’t always an option; we must come together as a community to create new solutions to this problem. It’s critical to raise awareness and support these programs with our dollars, so they’re not slashed in the next government emergency.
If you’re a student reading this, look into these resources and don’t be scared to ask for help. As a community we can come together and change the future. Are you ready to make a difference?
Abigail Benson
Thurston County
