PRINTER'S NO. 1173
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
188
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY FONTANA, MARTIN, FARNESE, GREENLEAF, ARGALL,
BREWSTER, SABATINA, BROWNE, COSTA, AUMENT, RAFFERTY, BOSCOLA,
HUGHES AND MENSCH, SEPTEMBER 19, 2017
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, SEPTEMBER 19, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Designating the week of October 15 through 21, 2017, as
"Homeless Children's Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, "Homeless Children's Awareness Week" brings
attention to the growing problems and issues facing homeless
children throughout this Commonwealth and across the nation; and
WHEREAS, Children are the fastest-growing segment of the
homeless population; and
WHEREAS, A total of 42% of homeless children in this
Commonwealth are six years of age or younger; and
WHEREAS, According to the Pennsylvania Department of
Education, there were more than 26,000 reported cases of
homeless school-age children in this Commonwealth during the
2014-2015 school year; and
WHEREAS, Of the Commonwealth's 500 school districts, 96% have
at least one homeless student who attends school within the
district; and
WHEREAS, There are homeless students in every county in this
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Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, enacted
in 1987, states that children are homeless if they lack a fixed,
regular and adequate nighttime residence; and
WHEREAS, The Federal act provides the basis for agency
funding to combat homelessness and was later amended to include
protection for homeless youths in public education, effectively
defining how schools must handle this issue and what actions
must be taken; and
WHEREAS, Children of all ages are negatively impacted by
homelessness in the areas of physical health, emotional and
behavioral development and academic success; and
WHEREAS, For many homeless students, coming to school every
day is the only stability they know, since they often face
obstacles like losing treasured possessions and dealing with
hunger and sleep deprivation; and
WHEREAS, A homeless family's constant moving disrupts
children's education, causing frequent absences from school that
can result in low test scores and can double the likelihood of
repeating a grade; and
WHEREAS, The National Coalition for the Homeless cites
studies indicating that youths experiencing homelessness are set
back academically by three to six months; and
WHEREAS, The national school dropout rate for homeless
children is 60% higher than for children who do not experience
homelessness during the school year; and
WHEREAS, For more than 18 years, the Homeless Children's
Education Fund has advanced the education of children and youths
experiencing homelessness in Allegheny County in an effort to
combat the statistics; and
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WHEREAS, The Homeless Children's Education Fund provides
educational programs and services, acts as a trusted advocate,
shares expertise and facilitates collaborative relationships
that maximize the collective impact among community partners;
and
WHEREAS, Many events are taking place in Pittsburgh during
"Homeless Children's Awareness Week," including a Stand Up for
Homeless Children performance art installation and outreach
events at Carnegie Museum; and
WHEREAS, Individuals and groups across this Commonwealth are
encouraged to create their own events during "Homeless
Children's Awareness Week" to raise awareness about the needs
and challenges of children and youths experiencing homelessness;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the week of October 15
through 21, 2017, as "Homeless Children's Awareness Week" in
Pennsylvania.
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