Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Tuesday, December 15, 2009
(INDIANAPOLIS, IN) - A recent report shows a 12% increase in homeless children in Indianapolis over a 2-year period.
The numbers are based upon data reported by Indianapolis public schools from 2006 to 2008.
The number is expected to rise based on Indiana's unemployment and foreclosure rates.
Bill Stanczykiewicz with the Indiana Youth Institute says the impact on a child's education is immediate and long-lasting.
A homeless child changes residences and schools an average of 3 times during their homeless state, putting their education 6 months behind with each move.
Stanczykiewicz says as a result of the instability, students fall too far behind to catch up and have extreme difficulty succeeding in school.
He says the issue needs to be a public priority so that students and their families are aware of the various social services available to them.
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