While doing action research, a library media teacher became the liaison between an Illinois elementary school and a homeless shelter. She developed a resource guide for local teachers that inspired a statewide publication effort. Now she works on a statewide committee to educate school systems about homeless children's rights. (12 references) (MLH)

More and more school districts are hiring family-school coordinators to connect with families through home visits stressing positive discussions. In El Paso, teams of middle-school teachers visit students' homes after school, on weekends, during conference days, and on vacations. Other programs are profiled. (MLH)

Examined the role that various background, labor market, and street lifestyle factors play in the drug and alcohol use of 200 street youths. Results indicate that street youths have histories that exert a strong influence over their behavior, especially histories of parental drug and alcohol use. Contains 68 references. (SLD)

Discusses the methodology and content of the evaluation of the Homeless Families Program. Focuses on data collection and the determination of program outcomes. Stresses the importance of stakeholder involvement and the flexibility of the evaluators as the evaluation unfolded. (SLD)

Study showed IQ scores of homeless adolescents (N=50) were comparable to population means, and unrelated to the duration of homelessness. Higher scores were significantly correlated with only a minority of the measures of psychosocial functioning, including less self-reported depression, lower reported delinquency, and less self-control in…

The 1987 Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act and amendments provide considerable protection for the education of homeless children and youth. They also provide formula grants to state education agencies to carry out the Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program. This article reviews major program components and critiques these…

Analyzes points of incongruence between specific federal statutes designed to address educational needs of special-needs children and youth and their families. Coordination of legislation, policy, and programs addressing problems associated with poverty, homelessness, disabilities, and cultural diversity would greatly reduce fragmented and…

Outlines the development and use of hands-on astronomy activities with street children in Mexico. Focuses on the high level of interest shown by homeless children in astronomy-related topics. (DDR)

Title 1 is the centerpiece of the 1994 Improving America's Schools Act. Currently funded at $7 billion, the program serves over 6.5 million children in two-thirds of the nation's elementary schools. The law shifts program administration responsibility to local districts and distributes funds based on the number of poor children in a school. (MLH)

Reviews research on the special characteristics of homeless, unaccompanied youth and innovative recreation programs that currently, or in the future, can serve them. The paper explains who the street children are and examines what recreation opportunities are available to fill in the gaps in the continuum of care for them. (SM)

When trainee teachers conducted an intervention with 35 South African boys in a homeless shelter, the boys' science, English, and math achievement improved by up to 110%. The boys also made social and emotional gains. Student teachers' reflective diaries indicated how they benefitted as well. (SK)

This article reports on results of a one-day public health survey conducted in six states by homeless youth providers to measure and compare risk factors between lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) homeless youth and non-LGB homeless youth. This article intends to inform the child welfare field on existing gaps in services and areas where more…

This study examined the associations between lifetime mental disorder, comorbidity, and self-reported postrunaway arrests among 428 (187 males, 241 females) homeless and runaway youth. The analysis examined the pattern of arrests across five lifetime mental disorders (alcohol abuse, drug abuse, conduct disorder, major depressive episode, and…

Today's families face many stressors during the early childhood years. Particular stressors like homelessness, violence, and chemical dependence, play havoc with the family system. Urie Bronfenbrenner's bio-ecological perspective offers an insightful lens for understanding and supporting families under stress. This article presents the key…

Risk factors associated with the likelihood of being sexually victimized by a stranger or friend/acquaintance since being on the street was examined among 372 homeless and runaway youth. Young people were interviewed on the streets and in shelters by outreach workers using a systematic sampling strategy. Youth who engaged in more high-risk…