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Homeless Family Center Assets Build Futures Indian River Advisory Committee B. PROGRAM NEED STATEMENT (Entire Section B not to exceed one page) 1 . a) What is the unacceptable condition requiring change? b) Who has the need ? c) Where do they live ? d) Provide local, state, or national trend data, with reference source, that corroborates that this is an area of need. Prolonged daily living in "fractured families" consumed with the stress of poverty, in a homeless center, dealing with unemployment and/or low wages, and the uncertainty of the future causes hopelessness, fear, insecurity, and anxiety in children . These families often do not have the energy nor the resources to provide positive reinforcement and developmental experiences which builds self-esteem and resiliency in their children. The 2000 "Homeless Education Program", sponsored by the Broward County School District, was able to document that children who are homeless display low self-esteem; are either withdrawn and listless, or hostile and aggressive; are emotionally needy; are old beyond their years ; feel unsafe in their environments ; and feel shame at where they live . In addition to educational setbacks there are developmental delays which augment the child ' s feelings of failure. Homelessness for children is often an extended period of time in their young life which is fraught with educational and emotional setbacks that lasts for years. Approximately 47% suffer depression, anxiety, display aggressive behaviors and are taunted by their peers for being homeless . ( 1 ) In an annual report titled Homeless Conditions in Florida Fiscal Year 2002 -2003 by the Department of Children and Families, Office of Homelessness the daily homeless population of Florida was estimated at 76, 675 . "Of that estimate it is clear that more and more families with children are becoming homeless for the first time, and that first-time homeless episodes are increasing . " (2) For homeless families, research indicates that 84% are single mothers with children. (3 ) In Indian River County, it is estimated there are over 450 homeless daily of which 45 % are families . Many Florida children live on the brink : 4% live in households without a telephone while 17% reside in households without a vehicle. (4) There remains therefore a large area for continued efforts to address the unmet needs of children who are homeless within our community and the potential for the issues to get worse before improving without proper resources . 1 ) 1999 study of "Homeless in America: A Children ' s Story" conducted by The Institute for Children & Poverty 2) Annual report on Homeless Conditions in Florida Fiscal Year 2002-2003 Florida Department of Children and Families, Office of Homelessness, Tom Pierce, June 2004 pg 1 3 ) Ibid pg. 2 4 Children at Risk : State Trends 1990 — 2000, Annie E . Casey Foundation, 2002 5