Transportation Management Software, bus scheduling software, school bus scheduling software, school bus management software
Homelessness in America has been steadily rising since 2016, with 2024 seeing an all-time high in unhoused persons. This is also causing a rise of homeless students in school districts - who must be able to receive the same educational services as any other student.
Accommodating unhoused students brings numerous challenges, from preventing discrimination in the classroom, to developing homeless student routing plans that get them to safety at night. BusBoss has some recommendations that can help!
Protecting Homeless Students In Your School District
1 - Know Their Rights
Homeless students have numerous rights under the law, including the right to equally access school services, and the right to attend school without being discriminated against. This is covered under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act - click here to download our free eBook which breaks down their rights and your obligations.
2 - Know The Signs Of Homelessness
Unhoused students, or their parents, may not be upfront about their status. It's important to identify homeless students so they can receive the help they need!
Common warning signs include:
- A spotty educational history, with numerous moves between districts, or gaps in enrollment
- Personal hygiene issues, coming to school in the same clothes every day, etc.
- Unresolved medical or dental issues
- Lack of participation in activities which require additional expenditures, such as field trips or school clubs
3 - Ensure They're Fed
Homeless students automatically qualify for free breakfasts/lunches, which is one of the big reasons it's so important to identify them. Be sure every unhoused student knows they have a right to food at school, and make it possible to obtain that food without ostracizing them.
4 - Focus On Building Trust
Homeless students often don't have a lot of reason to trust "the system." Teachers and faculty should be proactive in reaching out to them, and trying to build trust that your school will do everything possible to help them.
5 - Develop Bus Routes That Keep Them Safe
One key provision of the McKinney-Vento Act is that unhoused students have a right to ride the bus to a safe destination, and that other students should not be able to quickly deduce their homeless status. In other words, they should not - for example - be dropped off directly in front of a homeless shelter.
The right software can help you develop homeless student routing solutions that protect their rights, and their safety. BusBoss wants to help you support your homeless students! Please contact us for more specific information.
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PRESIDENT
Sonia has been involved with BusBoss since the late 1990’s, and has personally overseen many projects for various customers ranging from large urban and suburban districts to smaller rural school districts from all over the country. In all cases, her primary goal was to improve their transportation operations by reducing their operating expenses while simultaneously improving student safety and parent satisfaction.
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