Percent of educators surveyed
FIGURE 12: Did your school or school system provide training on identifying and addressing issues of housing-related challenges
Urbanicity
Total
Urban
Suburban
Rural
Yes, and I attended
44%
55%
36%
38%
Yes, but I did not attend
5%
8%
5%
2%
No, but I attended similar training elsewhere
11%
6%
15%
16%
No
32%
27%
36%
35%
I don’t know
7%
5%
8%
9%
Attended training (net)
56%
60%
51%
54%
Did not attend training (net)
44%
40%
49%
46%
Those who attended a training reported a higher level of confidence in their ability to identify students facing housing-related challenges. A quarter of those who attended a training reported that they “definitely would” be able to identify those issues, compared to only 9 percent of those who did not. Just under half of educators surveyed overall were aware of a school or district plan to support students experiencing housing-related challenges. Sixty one percent of urban educators were aware of a plan, compared with 42 percent of suburban staff and 39 percent of rural educators. Nearly all have experienced barriers to supporting students Regardless of whether training and support plans are in place, educators face significant challenges in helping address housing-related challenges facing their students. Nearly all respondents (93%) reported experiencing barriers to helping students connect to services or supports (see Figure 13). While difficulty connecting to parents and stigma issues were common across schools, urban staff were most likely to identify waiting lists as a top barrier, as well.
Percent of educators surveyed selecting in top 3
FIGURE 13: Top challenges of connecting students and families to housing-related supports (select up to 3)
Urbanicity
Total
Urban
Suburban
Rural
Difficulty connecting with parent/guardians to refer
50%
54%
47%
49%
Student and/or family concerns of potential stigma
48%
49%
48%
46%
Long wait list for support programs
30%
38%
25%
24%
Unsure which services are most needed
27%
23%
32%
27%
Time constraints limit my ability to help
23%
23%
21%
28%
Unsure which organizations provide needed services
23%
21%
25%
26%
Unsure who to contact in my school
14%
16%
13%
13%
Other
1%
1%
1%
1%
I have not encountered any challenges in connecting
7%
6%
10%
7%
Growing Up & Out of Poverty
48
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