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Homeless Family Center <br /> Assets Build Futures <br /> Indian River Advisory Committee <br /> Be PROGRAM NEED STATEMENT (Entire Section B not to exceed one page) <br /> 1 . a) What is the unacceptable condition requiring change? b) Who has the need ? <br /> c) Where do they live? d) Provide local, state, or national trend data, with reference <br /> source, that corroborates that this is an area of need . <br /> It is estimated there are over a million children homeless in America. In Indian River County, it <br /> is estimated there are over 450 homeless daily of which 45 % are families . More than 25 % of <br /> homeless children have experienced homelessness more than once. Families are the fastest <br /> growing population of homeless nationally and locally. <br /> According to a 1999 study of "Homeless in America : A Children' s Story" conducted by The <br /> Institute for Children & Poverty, homelessness for children is often an extended period of time in <br /> their young He which is fraught with educational and emotional setbacks that lasts for years. <br /> Nationwide, 1 in 5 homeless school aged children repeat classes. Their educational levels are <br /> lowered due to excessive school transfers, high absenteeism, under educated parents, and chronic <br /> homelessness. Approximately 47% suffer depression, anxiety, display aggressive behaviors and <br /> are taunted by their peers for being homeless. <br /> The 2000 "Homeless Education Program", sponsored by the Broward County School District <br /> and funded by the McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1990 identified for educators the <br /> visible symptoms and behaviors of homeless students. The program documents that such <br /> children display low self-esteem; are either withdrawn and listless, or hostile and aggressive; are <br /> emotionally needy; are old beyond their years; feel unsafe in their environments; and feel shame <br /> at where they live. In addition to educational setbacks there are developmental delays which <br /> augment feelings of failure. <br /> The experiences of "fractured families" consumed with the family stress of poverty, living in a <br /> homeless center, unemployment and/or low wages, and the uncertainty of the future also causes <br /> hopelessness, fear, insecurity, and anxiety in children. Families often do not have the energy nor <br /> resources to nurture their children or provide positive reinforcement and developmental <br /> experiences which builds self-esteem and resiliency. <br /> 5 <br />