Collaboration and experiences of school professionals with students who are homeless

Date of Award

2018

Degree Name

Specialist in Education (Ed.S.)

Department

Department of Counselor Education and Human Services

Advisor/Chair

Advisor: Susan Davies

Abstract

Students who are homeless have unique emotional and academic needs when compared to typical students. School professionals are in an excellent position to provide supports and services; however, challenges arise for service delivery when professionals are not made aware of students' homeless status. The 2015 reauthorization of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987 requires specific services to be provided, but this does not encompass all needs of homeless students. School professionals must be aware of how to collaborate and support homeless students. This study examined how school professionals currently support students who are homeless and how they may improve these supports and services. Eight school professionals, including teachers, principals, nurses, and homeless liaisons, were interviewed about their experiences working with students who are homeless. Results indicate that schools face challenges meeting the individual needs of homeless students. Implications for how school professionals can collaborate in providing a structured approach to serving homeless students are discussed.

Keywords

Counseling Education, Counseling Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Education, Educational Psychology, Educational Sociology, Homeless, Homelessness, Students, Supports and Services

Rights Statement

Copyright © 2018, author

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