| Every city in every state in this nation has a | | | | Kansas City Schoolschildren and youth |
| homeless population. These are people who are | | | | Provide assistance with obtaining academic and |
| "down on their luck". They may have suffered a | | | | medical records |
| series of financial disasters and have been driven | | | | Provide/arrange school transportation to Kansas City |
| from their homes because they simply couldn't pay | | | | Schools of choice |
| the bills. They may suffer from a mental illness, such | | | | Disseminate public notice of educational rights of |
| as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or clinical depression | | | | homeless children and youth |
| and are unable to care for themselves financially, as | | | | Arrange special tutoring & education services for |
| well as physically. It is beyond them to provide | | | | students outside the school day |
| themselves with adequate food or shelter. | | | | Assist families in obtaining medical insurance and |
| Sadly, many families suffer the first fate - mounting | | | | services |
| bills force them out of their homes. Many live in their | | | | Coordinate Kansas City Schools related activities with |
| cars, but still more have to depend on charitable | | | | homeless shelters and agencies |
| organizations to help them meet the needs of their | | | | What most impresses me is that not only have |
| families. Sometimes, the judicial system gets involved, | | | | Kansas City Schools recognized the needs of these |
| and families are split up; kids are placed in foster care | | | | very unique Kansas City Schools students, they are |
| in the hopes that they will get the care they need. | | | | doing all they can to ensure they get the education |
| Kansas City Schools officials recognized a unique | | | | they need, deserve, and are entitled to. One might |
| need for the children of a homeless family - they still | | | | say that of all students, these are the ones who |
| need an education. However, with the many | | | | need a good Kansas City Schools education the |
| obstacles present for a homeless child and his or her | | | | most. Graduating from high school is the only way to |
| family, getting this education is not always possible. | | | | get into college, and really the only way to move up |
| The State of Missouri requires every school district | | | | in the world, even when working a "blue collar" job. |
| to coordinate homeless student services, including the | | | | Helping these Kansas City Schools kids be successful |
| district which serves Kansas City Public Schools. | | | | in school will not only help them ensure a better |
| Homeless Student Services assures that homeless | | | | future than if they didn't attend school, but will help |
| Kansas City Schools students are provided the same | | | | them build the confidence and self-esteem they need |
| free public education as is provided to other children | | | | to continue succeeding. |
| and youth. Kansas City Schools' services for over | | | | That's definitely one of the most admirable reasons |
| 1,000 homeless students include: | | | | out there for offering a public education to these |
| Assistance with immediate enrollment of homeless | | | | deserving Kansas City Schools students. |