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, Keeping a student in their original school is
essential to their education since every time a student changes
schools, they are set back academically by three to six months;
and
WHEREAS, The national school drop-out rate for homeless
children is 60% higher than for children who do not experience
homelessness during the school year; and
WHEREAS, For more than 19 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
WHEREAS, Many events are taking place in Pittsburgh during
"Homeless Children's Awareness Week," including three "Stand Up
for Homeless Children" performance art installations, an evening
of trivia and a karaoke night; and
WHEREAS, Individuals and groups across this Commonwealth are
encouraged to create their own events during "Homeless
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