Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) has an ongoing project called "APS Title 1", which is their efforts to help homeless students. I interviewed a former teacher of mine, T. Montoya, and asked her what APS is doing to help homeless children fit in at school and be successful. She said "There can be anywhere from 900 to 2700 homeless children in APS, ages 5-18 years of age. There are two divisions that can help them, Student Support Services and Homeless Project Office. They will provide an educational plan for each child, which means helps them with their health needs, clothing, there is a clothing bank, school supplies at registration, transportation to school, tutoring at night at the shelters, provide academic and recreational activities for them during the summer. Teachers are asked to let administration know of special needs of these children and make sure they are treated with dignity and respect." She also mentioned that APS is in conjunction with UNM Homelessness Awareness & Advisory Group. APS is making an effort to help the homeless children lead "normal" lives and be successful in the future. Between APS efforts and Pennies for the Homeless, Albuquerque is making a difference for homeless people and trying to get them back on track.
I think that it is really great that APS is getting involved in helping the homeless. Sadly, homeless children can fall through the cracks so easily. APS really has a chance to be the help these kids in such a powerful way. I only hope that they are well organized and prepared to take on such a task.
ReplyDeleteIt's great that APS is taking an active role in helping homeless children. How are the programs you mentioned funded? Is it a part of APS's total budget, or part of another side initiative? Where do the clothes come from? Are they purchased or donated?
ReplyDeleteGreat job in tracking down this info. I'm glad to hear that our city is doing what it can to help the growing numbers of homeless folks.
I'd like to know more about just how a five-year-old (or other age) child lives as a "homeless" person. Does "homeless" mean that children have no stable parent unit and so have to live with relatives--or be shuttled from relative to relative? I guess I'm really kind of getting at a legal question of who can intervene and how. Can you find out more?
ReplyDeleteSurely the ABQ homeless children do not live like the famous gamines of Bogota, Colombia (something I'd like to see you post on as the gamines are pretty famous).