Searcy (LP) Homelessness is a fast growing issue that many teens are facing at Searcy High School; luckily, the school district is knowledgeable about this issue and they are taking the proper measures to address it. At a school like Searcy High School, there is actually a program just for homeless students to help them get through school with all of their essentials.

A homeless youth qualifies as anyone in grades kindergarten through twelfth grade who does not have a stable nighttime residence or lives with someone who has no legal guardianship rights. In a recent interview with the district’s instructional specialist Mrs. Christine Harrell, she revealed “There are actually around one hundred or more known homeless students in the district, though lots of homeless youth are highly mobile, skewing the number somewhat.” It’s impossible to have an exact number of homeless students because not all of them notify the district and many of them move frequently.

Because of the Mckinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, the school district is able to help students who identify as homeless by getting them groceries and clothing, paying for their lunch, paying for school supplies, and even letting them take a free ACT test so they can get into a good college and have a bright future. According to Mrs. Christine Harrell, “Getting help is necessary and students shouldn’t worry about people finding out about their homelessness. The process is completely confidential and nobody has to know except you and the adult helping you.” This program is extremely helpful because it gives these children and teens a reason to stay in school and get a necessary education. According to Federal investigations, programs like these have been proven to keep the homeless youth off of the streets and has significantly reduced youth crime rates. Homeless students are more likely to commit crimes than the average student because they sometimes feel forced to steal, camp, or panhandle. Another reason for the increased crime rate in homeless students is the fact that they feel too ashamed to ask for help, but they should find a counselor or trusted adult who can help. According to Mrs. Harrell, “The fact that a lot of people don’t know about the program or the amount of homeless students in the district actually shows that it’s successful because they are making sure the students are taken care of and don’t go without, or drawing attention to themselves.”