ERIC Number: EJ1046959
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015-Jan
Pages: 30
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0013-1245
EISSN: N/A
Families' Experiences in Different Homeless and Highly Mobile Settings: Implications for School and Community Practice
Miller, Peter M.
Education and Urban Society, v47 n1 p3-32 Jan 2015
Family homelessness has been on the rise throughout the United States in recent years. As a result, more schools and communities than ever are challenged to serve students whose lives are touched by instability, uncertainty, and crisis. To date, there has been little inquiry into how families' particular places of homelessness might shape school and community action. Accordingly, this mixed-methods study examined how their experiences in different settings were associated with their social network-related aspirations and outcomes. With insights from social network theory, the findings suggested that although most families opted to double up with others before entering residential shelters or agencies, there were few positive social and educational opportunities in these places. Families' networks were more heterogeneous and resource-rich in long-term residential agencies. Given the considerable variance in families' experiences with homelessness and residential instability, it is suggested that schools and community agencies develop differentiated models of practice that address students' place-specific needs.
Descriptors: Homeless People, Family Characteristics, Mixed Methods Research, Social Networks, Aspiration, Social Theories, Student Mobility, Poverty, Parents, Parent Attitudes, Social Capital, Surveys, Focus Groups, Mothers, Public Schools, Emergency Shelters, Social Services, School Personnel, Attitude Measures, Likert Scales, Place of Residence, Urban Areas
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Laws, Policies, & Programs: Stewart B McKinney Homeless Assistance Act 1987
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A