Improving Identification of Homeless Students: Insights from Poverty Solutions
ARP-HCY may be over, but the work isn’t. Explore research-backed strategies from Poverty Solutions to keep students experiencing homelessness connected to school.
While the American Rescue Plan-Homeless Children and Youth (ARP-HCY) funding has ended, the lessons learned during the pandemic remain critical. We’re excited to share two new resources from our partners at Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan, which highlight effective strategies—and ongoing barriers—in identifying and supporting students experiencing homelessness. The research is based on data analysis and interviews with local educational agency liaisons across all regions of New York State.
These briefs provide practical, actionable insights to help schools, districts, and state agencies strengthen identification and support systems for children and youth experiencing homelessness.
Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness in New York State: Barriers and Facilitators to Identification and Continued Enrollment
This research brief examines regional and statewide trends in the identification of students experiencing homelessness across New York (excluding NYC) during and after the pandemic. Despite some gains, identification rates remain below pre-pandemic levels, with significant under-identification in many districts. In response, the New York State Education Department commissioned a qualitative study to explore the current practices and challenges faced by McKinney-Vento liaisons.
Lessons Learned from Pandemic-Era Aid: Opportunities for Schools to Improve the Identification of Children Experiencing Homelessness
This brief shares insights from New York McKinney-Vento liaisons on how ARP-HCY funding impacted student identification—and offers takeaways that can inform efforts nationwide as federal relief ends.