[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 38 (Monday, March 14, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1606-S1607]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. MURRAY (for herself, Mr. Franken, and Mr. Begich):
  S. 571. A bill to amend subtitle B of title VII of the McKinney-Vento 
Homeless Assistance Act to provide education for homeless children and 
youths, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, 
Labor, and Pensions.
  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I rise to talk about legislation that I 
have introduced that is essential to the academic success of millions 
of vulnerable children and youth.
  The Educational Success for Children and Youth Without Homes Act 
responds to the growing crisis of homelessness in our nation. The 
legislation will help homeless children and youth thrive in school, 
despite the constant moves, trauma, and loss associated with 
homelessness.
  The recession has contributed to homelessness among two groups of 
students: children who are homeless with their families, and youth who 
are homeless on their own. This reality was brought starkly to light in 
a recent CBS 60 Minutes special about homeless children. The series 
documented several Florida families that have fallen on hard times, yet 
are doing their best to make ends meet and keep their children in 
school. It was heartbreaking to see these families who are struggling. 
However, it increased my resolve and determination to introduce this 
legislation, which will provide much-needed support for kids across the 
country.
  The numbers of homeless children are shocking. During the 2008-2009 
academic year, there were almost 1 million homeless children enrolled 
in public schools across the nation. That was a 41 percent increase 
over the previous two years. Unfortunately, this alarming trend shows 
no sign of abating. Many states are reporting increases between 5 and 
35 percent for the 2009-2010 school year. We owe it to these children 
to provide them with a safe place where they can learn and become 
successful adults.
  We know that school offers homeless children and youth structure, 
normalcy, support, and hope--it is a place where they can obtain the 
skills that they will need to avoid poverty and homelessness as adults. 
Yet these students face great educational challenges. High mobility, 
precarious living conditions, and severe poverty combine to create 
major barriers to school enrollment and regular attendance. Many 
homeless children and youth lack basic supplies and a reasonable 
environment where they can do homework. As a result of their 
circumstances, homeless students often perform below their peers in 
math and reading and are more likely to be held back.
  We must do more to assist these students so they do not continue to 
be left behind. The Educational Success for Children and Youth Without 
Homes Act of 2011 would do just that. The bill amends the McKinney-
Vento Act's Education for Homeless Children and Youth program. It makes 
a strong law even stronger by reinforcing and expanding the law's key 
provisions: school stability, enrollment, and support for academic 
achievement.
  My legislation will enhance the right of homeless children to stay in 
the same school, so that children who have lost their homes do not also 
lose their schools. It will assist schools in meeting the challenges of 
transporting homeless students by increasing the authorized funding 
level and allowing other federal funds for educating low-income 
students to be used for homeless transportation. When staying in the 
same school is not possible, or not in a child's best interest, the 
legislation will help the student make a seamless transition to a new 
school.
  One of the most successful features of the McKinney-Vento program is 
the requirement for every school district to designate a liaison for 
homeless children and youth. Liaisons identify homeless students, 
ensure their enrollment and attendance, and connect them to community 
resources. Liaisons are the backbone of this program, the unsung heroes 
who have become a lifeline for children and youth in crisis. Yet most 
liaisons do not have the capacity to carry out their required duties; 
they wear many hats and struggle to meet the growing demands of this 
population. As a result, too many homeless children and youth are 
falling through the cracks and missing out on school. The Educational 
Success for Children and Youth Without Homes Act will strengthen the 
critical position of homeless liaison by ensuring that liaisons have 
the time, resources, and training to fulfill their mandated duties.
  The Educational Success for Children and Youth Without Homes Act also 
recognizes the unique needs of certain groups of homeless children: 
preschool-aged homeless children, and unaccompanied homeless youth.
  Young children who are homeless have higher rates of developmental

[[Page S1607]]

delays and other problems that set them back as they start out life, 
yet they face numerous barriers to participating in early childhood 
programs. They miss out on services that can mitigate the harmful 
effect of homelessness on their development. This legislation will 
increase homeless children's participation in preschool programs by 
requiring public preschool programs to identify and prioritize homeless 
children for enrollment, and to develop the capacity to serve all 
identified homeless children.
  Unaccompanied homeless youth struggle to go to school without the 
basic necessities of life or a parent to guide them. We must assist 
unaccompanied homeless youth to overcome the unique educational 
challenges related to being without a home and without a parent or 
guardian. This legislation will help ensure that unaccompanied homeless 
youth have the supports necessary to stay in school, graduate with 
their peers, and move on to a brighter future.
  The history of litigation under the McKinney-Vento Act makes clear 
that we must do a better job helping educators learn about homelessness 
and support them in implementing the law. To this end, the legislation 
provides funding for technical assistance and training, and requires 
participation in professional development activities.
  As we work on the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act, we must recognize that children who do not know where 
they will sleep at night, or where their next meal will come from, face 
far greater challenges than simply remembering to do their homework. We 
must acknowledge that children who bounce between schools with each 
change of residence have little hope of taking advantage of even the 
best school programs. The most qualified teacher, or the most 
exceptional math or reading program, will not benefit children who are 
not enrolled in school, not attending regularly, and not assisted to 
overcome the barriers caused by homelessness. The Educational Success 
for Children and Youth Without Homes Act builds upon the proven 
successes of the McKinney-Vento Act's Education of Homeless Children 
and Youth program, while addressing remaining challenges. It is 
critical legislation that will help ensure that the homeless children 
of today do not become the homeless adults of tomorrow.

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