Homeless Student Assistance Program

The purpose of this project is to provide educational assistance for children and youth who are homeless or in shelter programs, to network with schools and agencies to ensure educational continuity and to identify and eliminate barriers to success in school.

The RESA provides a variety of services to area homeless students. RESA staff serve as liaison between the students/families and the schools. Most homeless students reside in local shelters. The RESA works with districts to write policies that comply with current legislation, offers in-service opportunities to districts about the school’s responsibilities and roles regarding homeless students, provides tutors to meet with students in varying locations, coordinates record keeping activities, arranges transportation, and schedules medical assistance. RESA staff also train shelter staff about working with schools.

Contact: Laura McDowell, ext. 291.

Homelessness:

It Can Happen to You documentary

Last year over 1,000 children and adults took residence in a local shelter. This documentary illustrates the serious problem of homelessness in St. Clair County.

View the video.

Online Resources

St. Clair County Community Mental Health Authority 

Provides homeless prevention and assistance resources.