The number of homeless students in Kansas public schools continued an upward trend during the 2013-2014 school year, according to a report issued by the Kansas Department of Education. The problem is seen in 155 school districts.
There are a reported 10,378 homeless public school students in Kansas--23 percent of which attend Wichita Public Schools. Districts are required to keep track of them to receive federal assistance related to the problem.
Tate Toedman, who manages the child homelessness program for the state of Kansas, says schools can offer things like free and reduced-price meal programs, help with purchasing school supplies, and transportation to and from school, but addressing housing is difficult.
“Our schools are trying to help out as much as possible, but a lot of that ends up being referrals to other social service agencies,” Toedman says.
The continued increase in the number of homeless students seems to be tied to unemployment numbers, low wages and increased housing prices, according to Toedman.
The vast majority of the students reported as homeless are those who don’t have a permanent living situation, like staying with a family friend.
Toedman says the best way to start a downward trend in homelessness rates in public school students is to make sure affordable housing is widely available.