Homeless children

When we think of homeless people we generally picture an older man who is addicted to some sort of substance. But why don't we ever think about the children that are homeless? “In 2013 there were about 526,708 homeless children in California”. That sounds like an exaggeration, but that depends on how you define homelessness. Homeless could mean living on the streets, or could mean living in the garage or on the couch of a friend or family members house.

-you include three main points about children who are homeless 1) health issues and 2) violence and 3)  education.  If you are trying to inform your readers about this then you need to develop your points more.  The use of sources and quotes is a good start but you need to follow up as well.  They are to short and dry and as a reader they come off as facts too distant from the reality.  It may be useful to consider including examples of each situation- maybe a narrative per example could help paint a stronger picture.  

   Homeless children are also at greater risk of having health problems. “ children experiencing homelessness are sick four times more often than other children. They have four times as angry respiratory infections twice as many ear infections. Five times more gastrointestinal problems, and four times likely to have asthma. These can be cause by poor eating habits and poor living conditions.- is this entire last part a quote? 

Violence is another major problem that many children including homeless have to go through. “By age 12, 83% had been exposed to at least one serious violent event. Almost 25% have witnessed acts of violence within their families. 47% have problems such as anxiety, depression, or withdrawal, compared to 18% of other school-age children.” -okay so what are your thoughts on this? 

“Approximately 87% of school-age homeless children and youth are enrolled in school, although only about 77% attend school regularly.” Some schools don’t allow homeless children to register without school and medical records. Some don’t allow children without a home address and in shelters there's not always a way for the children to get to school.” The vast majority of homeless children and youth live in shelters, doubled up with friends or relatives, or in situations such as motels and campgrounds.”  Homeless children who can't go to school have more problems learning in school. “Compared with other children, homeless children are. Four times as likely to have developmental delays. Twice as likely to have learning disabilities. Twice as likely to repeat a grade, most often due to frequent absences and moves to new schools (28% of homeless children go to three or more schools in a single year).” 

Homeless children need more recognition so that they can be helped, educated, and loved.
- okay- so what resources are out there? OR do you have solutions?  

Additional things to consider:
-how do stereotypes fit into this conversation? are there negative stereotypes surrounding homeless children and do they effect how people inform themselves about the situation or help? 

Sources:

www.doorwaysva.org/children-youth/impact-of-homelessness-on-children/

m.huffpost.com/us/entry/6169994

www.familyhomelessness.org/children.php?p=ts