Date of Award
2021
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Psychology
Abstract
Thisdissertation focuses on children experiencing homelessness and the effects homelessness has on their academic achievement from the perspective of the children, their parents, and local homeless liaisons. More importantly, this research explores what educators can do to create a positive, supportive, and stable environment at school for children experiencing homelessness by implementing an effective program or a number of support services. Data for the current study were gathered through phone and face-to-face interviews. The participants were 10 parent and child dyads living in a shelter and three school homeless liaisons. The semi-structured interviews focused on the resources, or lack thereof, from the shelter and the school that affected childrens school performance. Five themes arose from the current study: (a) children experiencing homelessness are often bullied by their peers; (b) homeless parents need more support to break the cycle of homelessness; (c) homelessness interferes with school performance; (d) families and homeless liaisons view the schools responsibility differently; and (e) homelessness affects the parent-child relationship. Implications for practice include that children experiencing homelessness and their parents need individualized support, access to transportation and community resources, social and emotional support, and equal education.
Recommended Citation
Paige, Jazlynn J., "School Programming For Homelessness: Perspectives Of Families And Local Homeless Liaisons" (2021). All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2056.
https://scholars.indianastate.edu/etds/2056