Children and Families Experiencing Homelessness

a boy asleep in a bed More than 1 million children ages birth to 6 experience homelessness in the U.S. These children are automatically eligible for Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Homelessness is a circumstance families may experience when they are faced with such challenges as extreme poverty and lack of affordable housing. It can also occur when a family's current living situation becomes unsafe or unstable.

Homelessness is a state of vulnerability for children and families. It can expose families to physical, mental, and developmental risks. Head Start programs can provide needed support to children and families.

Explore relevant eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance (ERSEA) strategies and resources for supporting families in your program.

Key Resources

Home at Head Start with Director Garvin

Director Khari M. Garvin’s Home at Head Start video series highlights the many ways our programs are equipped to support young children and families experiencing housing loss or instability.

FAQs About Serving Families Experiencing Homelessness

Find answers from the Office of Head Start to frequent questions about serving children and families experiencing homelessness.

Supporting Children and Families Experiencing Homelessness

This interactive learning series includes nine 30-minute modules to enhance your understanding of homelessness. Learn how to identify, enroll, and support children and families with unstable living situations.

Supporting Families Experiencing Homelessness Webinar Series

Watch this three-part webinar series, which features exemplary practices from Head Start and Early Head Start programs and collaboration directors.

ERSEA

Caring Conversations About McKinney-Vento Eligibility

Learn how to use a caring conversations approach with families to gather information about their living circumstances and determine McKinney-Vento eligibility for Head Start programs.

Decision-Making Tool to Determine a Family's Homeless Situation

Use this tool to determine a child and family’s situation or status using the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act’s definition of “homeless children and youth.”

Building Responsive Relationships with Families

Reflection and Planning Tool for Partnering with Families Experiencing Homelessness

Consider how you might enhance what you already do to partner with families experiencing homelessness. Use this tool to reflect on your program’s relationship-building practices and plan for next steps in supporting families experiencing homelessness.

Better Parent Communication: What Do I Say When a Parent Tells Me Something Difficult?

Explore strategies for responding effectively to parents and the difficult topics they can bring to Head Start staff.

Staff and Partners

Supporting Professionals Who Support Families: The Parallel Process

Working with families is a rewarding and challenging experience. Programs can provide support to staff in ways that mirror the supports they provide to parents. Explore this resource to learn more about the parallel process.

Connecting with Partners Planning Worksheet

Working with local partners is a key strategy for identifying and reaching out to families experiencing homelessness. Use this worksheet to record data on these partners.

, Family Support and Well-being

Resource Type: Article

National Centers: Office of Head Start

Audience: Family Service Workers

Last Updated: June 4, 2024

Family Support & Well-being