Baltimore schools take action to combat youth homelessness 

By Kendra Bryant
AFRO Intern

School systems across the nation have introduced new programs in hopes of reducing youth homelessness rates and improving education outcomes for students. 

According to the Baltimore City Public Schools System (BCPSS), in 2023 there were 4,300 students facing homelessness, a 33 percent increase from the previous year.

The system’s Office of Health and Specialized Student Services (OHSSS) created the McKinney-Vento Program (MVP) to aid K-12 students who experience homelessness, with an eye toward improving school attendance and academic retention.

“Students aren’t able to think and engage in school academically if their basic needs are not met,” said Adrienne Sesay, coordinator of the OHSSS. 

“Factors such as food insecurity (food deserts), student environment, language barriers, family situations, lack of early intervention and more affect students’ abilities academically,” she added. 

MVP guarantees that affected students receive free lunch, school uniforms, immediate enrollment, transportation, educational resources and programming. 

Mental health also impacts students struggling with homelessness. According to Covenant House, 69 percent of youth experiencing homelessness report mental health challenges. 

“A lot of the people that come through the shelter have mental health challenges, and they are just unstable,” said Irisha Lucas, program director of The NEST, a Baltimore youth shelter. “We have to help these youth realize that it’s OK to go see a therapist, that no matter what the mental health challenge may be, it’s OK to get that help.”

BCPSS has collaborated with a student-based online healthcare company, Hazel Health, to provide students and their families with teletherapy sessions both during the school year and over the summer. 

“Students learn best when they feel their best and can attend class daily,” BCPSS stated on its website. 

Hazel Health therapists assist students with social skills, bullying, grief and loss, separation anxiety, worry, fear, social skills, bullying, academic stress and peer and family relationships. 

A common struggle for BCPSS is identifying homeless students within schools.

“Despite our efforts, sometimes neither school staff nor families are aware of who their school-based homeless liaison is in the school,” said Sesay. “Oftentimes, unaccompanied youth and high school students who do a great deal of couch housing are hesitant to identify themselves as experiencing homelessness.”

Understanding the emotions that come with admitting to being homeless, BCPSS examines other habits exhibited by their students. 

“We analyze data and trends related to attendance, enrollment, behavior, multicultural backgrounds and newcomers who might not self-identify as homeless,” said Sesay. “Through direct support to schools, the MVP office collaborates with educational institutions to enhance the identification of individuals, including those experiencing homelessness, by focusing on outreach and engagement efforts.” 

A report from the Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services  states that youth (up to age 24) made up 17 percent of the homeless population. More than 10 percent under the age of 18 live in emergency shelters and transitional housing. 

“We get calls all day, every day, from young people looking for a place to stay,” said Lucas. “Housing costs here in Baltimore City are extremely high, often resulting in homelessness.”

According to Redfin, the median sale price of a home in Baltimore is $243,000, a 13 percent increase since last year. 

BCPSS’ Office of Homeless Services (OHS) offers programs for K-12 students such as clothing closets, in-school and at-shelter tutoring, job readiness, summer support, and yearly staff training. 

MVP is hoping to expand their staff, as having more hands on deck will allow them to assist on a larger scale. 

“Currently, our team consists of six MVP liaisons and one foster care liaison,” said Sesay. “Increasing our staffing would significantly enhance our adaptive, collaborative support within schools, allowing us to engage more deeply and effectively with families, schools, students and communities.”