S3 E15: Expanding Opportunities for Homeless Students with Erin Patterson of SchoolHouse Connection

Erin Patterson is the Director of Education Initiatives with SchoolHouse Connection. In this episode, Erin illuminates what makes SchoolHouse Connection the nation’s leading expert on the early care and education of children and youth experiencing homelessness. Listeners learn how SchoolHouse Connection supports infants, toddlers, and pregnant and expectant parents, along with statistics and consequences children struggle with when experiencing homelessness. Erin inspires through her mission to overcome homelessness through education and works to expand opportunities for the most underserved students – those experiencing homelessness, in foster care, and in the juvenile justice system.

Episode Mentions:

• NPR’s Morning Edition
• Barbara Duffield - Executive Director of SchoolHouse Connection
• The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act 
• District Homeless Education Liaisons - Homeless Education Directory
• Homeless Children and Youth Act (H.R. 5221)
• American Rescue Plan

Learn More:

• New Data Show Dramatic Increase in Families and Youth in Homeless Shelters, Even While Dramatically Undercounting Families and Youth Experiencing Homelessness: https://schoolhouseconnection.org/2023-hud-data/
• Infants and Toddlers Experiencing Homelessness: Prevalence and Access to Early Learning Across Twenty States: https://schoolhouseconnection.org/infant-and-toddler-homelessness/ 
• New Federal Guidance Urges Expediting ARP-HCY Funds. Now What? https://schoolhouseconnection.org/expediting-arp-hcy-funds/ 

Connect and Learn with Erin & SchoolHouse Connection:

• at SchoolHouse Connection’s website
• on Twitter: SHC & Erin Patterson
• on Instagram:  SHC & Erin Patterson
• on LinkedIn:  SHC & Erin Patterson
• on Threads:  SHC
• on Facebook:  SHC
• on TikTok:  SHC
• on YouTube:  SHC

 #schoolhouseconnection #homeless #homelessness #education #community #nonprofit #homelessnessawareness #support #volunteer #helpingothers #endhomelessness #humanity #mentalhealth

When teachers, coaches, administrators, and families grow together, they create schools where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged, supported, and ready to thrive.