PRINTER'S NO. 1316
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
209
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY FONTANA, TEPLITZ, SABATINA AND KITCHEN,
OCTOBER 13, 2015
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, OCTOBER 13, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Designating the week of October 18 through 25, 2015, as
"Homeless Children's Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, "Homeless Children's Awareness Week" will bring
attention to the growing problems and issues facing homeless
children throughout Pennsylvania and across the nation; and
WHEREAS, In 2014, on any given night in the United States,
more than 1.3 million children experienced homelessness
according to the United States Department of Education; and
WHEREAS, The Federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
states that children are homeless if they lack a fixed, regular
and adequate nighttime residence; and
WHEREAS, Homelessness negatively impacts children's physical
health, emotional and behavioral development and academic
success; and
WHEREAS, Children are the fastest growing segment of the
homeless population; and
WHEREAS, The number of homeless students attending public
school in this Commonwealth increased by 18% between the 2012-
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2013 and 2013-2014 school year, an increase of more than double
the national average of 8%, according to statistics reported by
the United States Department of Education; and
WHEREAS, During the 2013-2014 school year, nearly 23,000
school-age children and youth were reported as experiencing
homelessness, which made up about 1% of the total Pennsylvania
public school enrollment population for that year; and
WHEREAS, In Allegheny County alone, almost 3,000 children
were homeless during the 2013-2014 school year; and
WHEREAS, Youth experiencing homelessness face many obstacles,
such as losing treasured possessions and dealing with hunger and
sleep deprivation; and
WHEREAS, A homeless family's constant moving disrupts
children's education, causing them to be absent from school
frequently, which often results in low test scores and twice the
likelihood of repeating a grade; and
WHEREAS, The National Coalition for the Homeless cites
studies that show youth experiencing homelessness are set back
academically three to six months; and
WHEREAS, The national school dropout rate for homeless
children is 60% higher than a child who does not have that
experience during the school year; and
WHEREAS, For more than 16 years, the Homeless Children's
Education Fund has advanced the education of children and youth
experiencing homelessness in Allegheny County in an effort to
combat such statistics by providing educational programs and
services, acting as a trusted advocate, sharing expertise and
facilitating collaborative relationships that maximize the
collective impact among community partners; and
WHEREAS, Many events will take place during "Homeless
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Children's Awareness Week" in Pittsburgh, including a story-
telling event, a performance art installation and a 5K and 10K
run/walk to raise awareness about children experiencing
homelessness; 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 youth experiencing homelessness;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the week of October 18
through 25, 2015, as "Homeless Children's Awareness Week" in
Pennsylvania.
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