Trauma and Homeless Children

 

Homelessness results from extreme poverty, lack of affordable housing, decreased government support, and domestic violence. Children and families experiencing homelessness results in the loss of a community, routine, privacy, and security. They are more vulnerable to other forms of trauma such as physical and sexual assault, witnessing violence, or separation. The stresses experienced with homelessness can worsen other trauma-related difficulties and interfere with recovery.

Homeless children suffer twice the rate of other children and go hungry twice as often as non-homeless children. More than one-fifth of homeless preschoolers have emotional problems but less than one-third receive any type of treatment. Half of school-age homeless children suffer from mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression - and one in three has a major mental disorder.

Community-based shelters help hundreds of thousands of homeless families in the United States. Trauma-specific care can help ensure safety, minimize risk, and provide positive supports to vulnerable families. 

Trauma-specific care includes:

• Screening for a child’s history of traumatic experiences
• Screening caregivers for histories of trauma
• Assessments on whether a child’s development is improving or has been interrupted by trauma
• Promoting awareness of the role of trauma in families experiencing homelessness

For more information and resources, please visit The National Child Traumatic Stress Network with the link provided. 

https://www.nctsn.org