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Center for Social Policy
McCormack Graduate School
University of Massachusetts Boston
100 Morrissey Blvd.
Boston, MA 02125-3393
Phone: (617) 287 5550
Fax: (617) 287 5544
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| Homeless and neglected |
Author(s):
Globe Editorial
Source(s):
Boston Globe
Date: April 13, 2004
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INSTEAD OF mastering the alphabet and numbers, homeless preschool children are busy navigating
the grim challenges of having lost their homes. They may be living in shelters or motels.
They often have no place to play. They tag along with parents who are searching for jobs and
housing. They may be caught in the shadow of their parents' stress, frustration, or despair. It's
a dismal situation that can stunt emotional, developmental, and academic growth. Largely unseen
by policy makers and the public, an estimated 10,000 preschool-age children are homeless each
year, according to the McCormack Institute at the University of Massachusetts in Boston.
To bring public attention to these children, a survey has been done by Horizons for Homeless
Children, a nonprofit organization in Dorchester. Horizons runs two child care centers for
homeless children and more than 50 playrooms in shelters around the state.
Horizons gathered information on 777 preschool-age children in 76 shelters. Fewer than half
-- 44 percent -- were enrolled in organized programs such as day care, Head Start, or preschool.
This compares with 68 percent of children in the general population. Instead, these homeless
children spent their days with a parent, relative, or friend.
The survey also found that 75 percent of parents lacked state child care vouchers. Many
parents hadn't asked for them even though they were eligible.
More funding for subsidized child care and better outreach to homeless parents are essential.
To climb out of homelessness, parents need to work. And to work, they need day care. Quality
day care programs can also give children a needed break, a chance to play and interact with
other children.
The state has only 85 slots set aside for homeless children. Using welfare department figures,
Horizons took a one-day statistical snapshot last November and counted 1,396 homeless
preschoolers.
The Horizons report recommends assigning a child development specialist to each shelter. This
person could help make shelters more child-friendly and link children to other services. The
report also calls for state agencies to streamline access and referrals to child care and to
collect more data on children, especially those staying in motels, a group Horizons was unable
to count.
Federal law insists that states work to give homeless children the same access to education
that all children have. Massachusetts should adopt a similar approach for homeless preschool
children, making sure that they too have access to the best care and educational opportunities
available.
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