COMPTON : Schools Awarded Grant for Homeless Students
The state Department of Education has awarded a $100,000 grant to the Compton Unified School District to pay for services for homeless youth, it was announced Friday.
“The effects of homelessness on students is almost invariably lowered academic performance,” said J. Jerome Harris, state administrator for the district.
Under the terms of the grant, a homeless student is defined as someone who has had no stable housing for more than six months, or is living in sub-par housing.
About 12,000 families in Compton may qualify as “homeless” under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, which provided the funds that underwrite the Education Department’s grant program.
The program’s main goals are to provide direct service to homeless youth, and improve academic skills through better attendance and tutoring.
Students and their families also will receive other support services, including transportation, eye care, medical treatment, immunizations and emergency clothing.
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