Homeless students on the rise

BROOKSVILLE Shanika Figueroa doesn't even want to predict how many homeless children will be recorded this year — not after last year's number was much higher than expected.

During her first year on the job, Figueroa, a social worker for the school district, predicted the district could easily reach 300 homeless students. During the 2010-11 school year, 497 students were identified as being homeless, triple the previous year's 165 students recorded.

Those statistics pertain to students who don't have a permanent address and have to stay with a neighbor, friend or other family member, live in substandard housing, hotels or a shelter.

But worse than seeing a 200 percent increase, Figueroa claims their living situations are becoming more appalling.

Already this school year, 101 students have been identified as homeless. Unlike the previous school year, an increasing number of them are literally living out of cars or on the street.

"To be honest, this year has a different feel than last year — we're getting word of a lot of emergency situations where families are being evicted or kicked out of their living situation with nowhere to go," Figueroa said. "I had one parent tell me they were staying in a car. And then he lost his car so they were staying outside or in whatever building they could find.

"It's really frustrating because I'm supposed to be hooking them up with community resources, but there's really nothing for me to guide and direct them to."

Figueroa said one reason for the increase is that district officials are making headway in identifying homeless students — something that in prior years has not been an easy task.

She explained that teens and children, along with families, are secretive about their home life and she said many times are embarrassed to come forward to school officials. Typically, Figueroa said many will hide their homelessness until the children are hungry enough in school to seek assistance.

Now she said children and families are increasingly coming forward. After a previous story ran last October in Hernando Today, Figueroa said her office was flooded with phone calls.

Another project that has helped, however, is the Back to School Backpack Bash, where backpacks stuffed with needed items are handed out to the community.

And inside, she said flyers were included to let families know where they can receive assistance.

Meanwhile, she said she expects the numbers to get worse before they get better.

"I don't even want to speculate how many we'll end up with this year," Figueroa said. "It's sad to think of young children in these types of situations. But at least for right now we know that the education outreach program is working. I just wish we could do more for them."

For more information about how families can receive assistance, contact Shanika Figueroa at (352) 797-7008, Ext. 239.