Promoting resilience in youth experiencing homelessness through implementation of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

ABSTRACT

This Consensual Qualitative Research study explored experiences of youth, families, and homeless liaisons to better understand how educational environments can foster resilience among youth experiencing homelessness. The purpose of the study was to provide educational stakeholders with guidance on how to actualize the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act into saturated services that promote strength, hope, and high expectations for youth experiencing homelessness. A bioecological framework was used to conceptualize the interplay of systems. Four domains emerged from participants' collective beliefs on the implementation of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act: critical incidents, philosophy of services, community and school collaboration, and relationships with families. Lessons learned and implications for school practice are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Education Policy
• homeless
• resilience

Notes on contributors

Elysia V. Clemens is a professor at the University of Northern Colorado. Her current research interest are educational stability and educational attainment for highly mobile youth.

Robyn S. Hess is a Professor of School Psychology at the University of Northern Colorado. Her current research interests are high school completion, stress and coping in youth, and culturally responsive practices with diverse youth.

Molly M. Strear is an assistant professor at San Francisco State University. Her current research interests are LGBTQIQA affirmative school counseling practices, social justice, comprehensive school counseling program implementation, and researcher-practitioner partnerships.

Lisa Rue is an adjunct professor at the University of Northern Colorado. Her research interests include positive youth development and adolescent risk prevention.

Sonja Rizzolo is the assistant graduate dean at the University of Northern Colorado. Her current research interests are occupational stress and job burnout, graduate student satisfaction and retention, and health related community-strengthening projects.

Janessa Henninger is an assistant professor at Adams State University. Her current interests are Crisis and Trauma education, working with mandated clients, and play therapy.