The Oregon Department of Education released data today showing that 20,545 students in Oregon’s K-12 public schools lived in homeless situations at some point during the last school year. This is 1500 more homeless students than were reported in the prior school year.

Children and youth are considered homeless when they lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence. This includes children and youths living in motels or campgrounds, emergency or transitional shelters, cars, parks, public spaces or sharing a residence of other persons due to loss of housing or economic hardship.

The number of identified homeless students in Oregon K-12 public schools has more than doubled since the 2003-04 school year and has increased by more than 1500 since the 2009-10 school year. Statewide, 3.7% of Oregon K-12 students were homeless at some point during the 2010-11 school year.

The Newberg School District has identified 185 students in grades K-12 as homeless, 3.5 percent of the total enrollment. Nineteen were unaccompanied homeless minors who are no longer living with their parents or guardians, or had run away from home or foster care placement. Eight were living in shelter situations and 176 shared housing with relatives or friends due to economic hardship, such as foreclosure, eviction, job losses or homes destroyed through disaster.

The federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ensures educational rights and protection for children and youth experiencing homelessness. It requires school districts to ensure immediate access to school for students in temporary and transitional housing situations. Districts are required to appoint a liaison for these students to make sure they have access to resources, programs and services. This may include transportation to school, necessary school supplies, connections to community resources and communication with teachers and school officials.

“The goal is to ensure children and youth have access to education with as little disruption as possible,” said Don Dorman, Director for Special Programs. Dorman and representatives from Yamhill County school districts have formed a consortium that oversees $60,000 in federal grant funds to provide educational stability for 444 homeless students in the county.