This guide contains suggestions for those seeking to establish library services for homeless children, help for computerizing a homeless shelter, and a discussion of the problems and rewards of establishing library services in a shelter. Steps to establishing services include: (1) clarifying the purpose of the effort; (2) doing the homework to…

Because growing up has become the art of survival for many young people, a professionally conducted course in street smarts can help them identify problems, understand consequences, and make good decisions. The information and activities contained in this text can teach students how to take care of themselves when confronted with challenges. It…

A study investigated the literacy needs of adolescents staying in short-term crisis intervention centers--shelters for teens who have run away or are otherwise homeless. During a 6-month period, interviews were conducted in a non-threatening, informal environment; the adolescents responded to open-ended questions about their histories of reading…

An exploration of the economic and historical causes of homelessness is combined with accounts of individuals and families who are on the streets or in shelters and how they came to that point. Following an overview of the problem of homelessness and its causes, nine chapters present stories of homeless individuals, friends, and families. These…

More than half of runaway adolescents cite poor family communication and conflict as the primary reasons for running. Runaways (.5-1.5 million annually) generally arrive on the streets with few survival skills and little money. They are often subject to abuse of various sorts, and many eventually resort to criminal activity or use drugs in efforts…

Guidelines for developing strategies and policies that ensure equal access to education for Maine's homeless children and youth are provided in this document. The first part outlines factors that place students at risk for homelessness. The second part focuses on developing effective school policies and strategies to help homeless children gain…

The right of homeless children and youth to enjoy a free, appropriate public education is ensured in Oregon by ORS 339.115 (3). This law establishes that homeless children and youth cannot be denied enrollment simply because they lack a fixed place of residence or because they are not under a parent's or guardian's supervision. State Board of…

This study investigates the interaction of religious and quasi-religious variables through measures of psychopathology and alcohol and drug abuse in a sample of homeless subjects. Participants included 25 males and 14 females with potential dual diagnoses who lacked, or were in danger of being without, appropriate housing. Researchers administered…

The majority of long-term, non-transient homeless people in Detroit, Michigan are elderly. An understanding of the elderly homeless population in terms of demographic characteristics, family relationships, economic and health status, and other factors is a prerequisite to determining appropriate courses of action for those who provide services to…

This report focuses on options for rehousing the individuals and families who are currently homeless in America, and on strategies for preventing homelessness of additional people. As many as 736,000 persons are estimated to be homeless on any given night, and between 1.3 million and 2 million different individuals may experience homelessness at…

This study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of family functioning in families who have become homeless and poor families who have never been homeless. Relying on the McMaster Model of Family Functioning, it focused on family functioning in terms of transactional patterns or the family's mode of interaction as a unit. Subjects consisted…

The purpose of this document is to give guidance to local educational agencies and supply them with resources to meet the educational needs of homeless children in Massachusetts in accordance with the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act (PL 100-77). Contents are as follows: "Part I, Introduction" discusses the history and purpose…

This report examines the unique aspects of homelessness among youth ages 16 to 21. Section I reviews existing literature and data on the size, characteristics, and needs of homeless youth. Section II summarizes New York State's current efforts on their behalf. Section III analyzes obstacles to serving this population. Section IV outlines an action…

This document contains oral testimony by state and government officials, prepared statements, and supporting materials concerning food assistance for the homeless. The bills before the Senate would increase Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) funding by $10 million in fiscal year 1987, and $20 million in 1988. According to John W.…

This manual discusses how to develop emergency shelter as a short-term response to homelessness. The manual also discusses long-term goals, such as efforts to empower homeless people to live independently, and coalition-building on behalf of the homeless. The manual consists of six parts. Part 1 is entitled, "Introduction: Working on…