New Dashboard Sheds Light on Child and Youth Homelessness in the U.S.

The collaboration between SchoolHouse Connection and the University of Michigan's Poverty Solutions has resulted in the creation of a groundbreaking interactive data dashboard. This tool provides an in-depth look at the state of child and youth homelessness in the United States, utilizing federal data from the past four years. By offering insights at various geographic levels, from national down to local communities and legislative districts, the dashboard serves as a critical resource for understanding the multifaceted issue of homelessness among young people.

One of the dashboard's key features is its ability to identify school districts that may be under-identifying students experiencing homelessness. Additionally, it highlights districts that are severely underfunded, particularly those that recognize homeless students but do not receive McKinney-Vento subgrants. This aspect of the tool is vital for addressing the gap in resources and support for these vulnerable students.

Perhaps most importantly, the dashboard allows for the comparison of educational outcomes between homeless and housed students. Metrics such as chronic absenteeism and graduation rates reveal the stark educational challenges faced by students without stable housing. Barbara Duffield, Executive Director of SchoolHouse Connection, points out the invisibility of child and youth homelessness in communities and schools. The dashboard aims to bring these issues to light, offering a clearer picture of the obstacles these students face in pursuing consistent education.

This tool is now accessible to researchers, policymakers, and educators, providing them with the data needed to make informed decisions and take actionable steps towards mitigating youth homelessness. The implications of this dashboard are far-reaching, offering the potential to influence policy changes, increase funding allocations, and ultimately improve the lives of homeless students across the country.