Homelessness is a lot like an iceberg–what’s visible is only a small portion of what actually exists. It is estimated that 9200 people, including children, experienced homelessness in North Carolina in 2018. Terry David, MSW, Executive Director of Chapel Hill Training Outreach Project, Inc. (CHTOP) and President of NC Head Start Association, believes those figures represent just the tip of the iceberg, with many more individuals just beneath the sometimes stormy waves of everyday life.
To David, homelessness is a problem of titanic proportion, in large part because data is difficult to track. The numbers do not adequately reflect people living under bridges, people constantly on the move, people in shelters, victims of domestic violence running away from abusive partners, and undocumented individuals afraid of reporting their homeless status due to fear of deportation. Data shows 95 percent of children experiencing homelessness are temporarily sheltered with family or friends, or staying in places where the family may be asked to leave at any time, such as motels. CHTOP empowers children, families, communities, and organizations with educational and supportive services, such as Orange and Durham counties Head Start and Early Head Start (HS and EHS). It is through these services that David and his staff seek to serve those hiding in plain sight.
According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s December 2018 report, of the 553,000 people who are homeless across the country, 47,714 children were served by Head Start. Of the 22,000 North Carolina children participating in Head Start/Early Head Start in 2008, 1.6 percent (approximately 350) were homeless. That number has more than doubled to 3.6 percent in 2016 (nearly 800). David and his team want to serve more. “From the day children are born, there are 2000 days before they enter kindergarten,” he states. “Children who experience the poverty and trauma of homelessness are most vulnerable, so it’s imperative they get a good head start. We can help.” Homeless children are categorically eligible for Head Start, meaning the agency is not required to prove income. David explains that the beauty of Head Start’s umbrella early education program is that it is not just about children–it recognizes parents as children’s first teacher. “Our approach helps families–including homeless families–move toward self-sufficiency in the areas of housing, social interactions, psychological health, physical health, education, jobs, and nutrition.”
Head Start provides many interventions and information to help families overcome poverty. While some of the interventions seem large and far-reaching, there are also smaller, more detailed interventions. Oral health is one of those things that may not always come up when discussing housing instability. When a family is homeless and a parent is considering basic needs, brushing a child’s teeth with safe and healthy fluoride toothpaste is likely one of the last things on the to-do list. There are too many other stressors and competing priorities to be mindful of brushing. David feels parents may be unaware that oral health is an important indication of overall health.
Oral health is a message Head Start can deliver that has a lifelong impact on health outcomes for children. “If we can get these kids understanding–and experiencing–nutrition and healthy oral education through our program, we can literally save their lives,” David says. “Head Start requires periodic dental exams as part of our health requirements for families. These programs make it possible for children and families to stay connected to a medical and dental home, whether the families have homes or not.” The program is also required to brush children’s teeth daily. Children have their own toothbrushes in the classroom and use them once a day, practicing good technique and building a lifetime habit. Away from the stress of wondering where they might sleep or if they will have a safe place to stay, the oral health routine and training provide a life skill children can learn in a safe and consistent environment.
David sees the problem of homelessness as a greater opportunity for him and his staff to serve–and to solve. Head Start may be exactly that for homeless children: A good head start. Their oral health program is an excellent example of how attention to the little things has a leavening effect for some of the most vulnerable families hiding in plain sight. “It wouldn’t surprise me if we will be serving more homeless kids in the future,” he concludes. “Gentrification is happening in our urban areas, affordable housing is disappearing, and families have no place to live.” CHTOP does regular community needs assessments to understand what is happening in the neighborhoods it serves and how children and families are affected by changing trends. David reports the findings reveal unemployment has dropped and more families are working. But the data also indicates wages are low and not rising to match the increasing cost of housing: People are falling through the cracks. “We approach every family with respect and care,” David concludes. “We honor the experience they bring to the table and meet them there. We are a place where they can go for support.”
To learn more about empowering support for families, visit Chapel Hill Training Outreach Project.
