Small Children, Big Impact: What’s Working for Young Children Experiencing Homelessness
Replay past 2026 sessions: May 5, May 19, June 2, June 23, September 2, September 23
About the Lunch-and-Learn Series
Nearly 700,000 children under age six are experiencing homelessness across the United States. The consequences are profound—developmental delays, social-emotional challenges, reduced school readiness, and a higher likelihood of homelessness later in life. But across the country, early childhood programs, schools, and community partners are stepping up with innovative solutions to meet the unique needs of these young children and their families.
In this lunch-and-learn series, SchoolHouse Connection will spotlight programs that are making a real difference. Participants will hear practical examples from the field and learn replicable strategies that can strengthen identification, enrollment, and support for young children experiencing homelessness in a range of community settings.
Replay 2026 Sessions
May 5, 2026 (1:00-1:45 pm Eastern)
In this kick-off session of our new series, join us in conversation with Jamila Larson, LICSW, Executive Director and co-founder of the Playtime Project in Washington, D.C. Playtime Project supports the developmental needs of children experiencing homelessness by providing and expanding access to transformative play experiences. Playtime’s vision is to help break the cycle of homelessness by ensuring all children have the opportunity to play, heal and learn.
Replay Session 1: Featuring Playtime Project
May 19, 2026 (1:00-1:45 pm Eastern)
In the second session of our series, join us in conversation with Steven Bartholomew, Executive Director of New Legacy Charter School in Aurora, Colorado to learn more about New Legacy’s innovative two-generation model for serving parenting high school students experiencing homelessness and their young children.
Replay Session 2: Featuring New Legacy Charter School
June 2, 2026 (1:00-1:45 pm Eastern)
In the third session of our series, join us in conversation with Robin Jacob and Cherie Ross of the Maternal Infant Health Program (MIHP) in Michigan. Learn how MIHP home visiting prioritizes families experiencing homelessness through service delivery, and what they have learned from early data collection and reporting.
Replay Session 3: Featuring Maternal Infant Health Program
June 23, 2026 (1:00-1:45 pm Eastern)
In the fourth session of our series, join us in conversation with Melanie Richardson, LMSW, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Training Grounds in New Orleans, Louisiana. Learn how their WE PLAY centers have helped families experiencing homelessness gain greater access to play opportunities, parent education, and to critical community resources and supports.
Replay Session 4: Featuring Training Grounds
September 2, 2026 (1:00-1:45 pm Eastern)
In this fifth installment of the series, join us in conversation with Savannah Stannard, Early Learning Services Director, and Erika Washington, Co-Director for family access, of BrightSpark. BrightSpark serves families, caregivers, and child care providers across King and Pierce counties in Washington, working to nurture and sustain child-centered, antiracist early learning communities. Learn how BrightSpark has improved families’ access to quality early learning for over 30 years.
Replay Session 5: Featuring BrightSpark
September 23, 2026 (1:00-1:45 pm Eastern)
In this sixth installment of the lunch and learn series, join us in conversation with Amy Selenske, Comprehensive Services Director of Reach Dane. Reach Dane provides high quality early childhood development services through center-based and home visiting programs in Dane County, Wisconsin. Reach Dane serves a significant number of children and families experiencing homelessness. Join us to learn more about how Reach Dane provides a comprehensive system of support to families experiencing homelessness.
Replay Session 6: Featuring Reach Dane
