Educators play an integral role in supporting children who are experiencing homelessness. They also have an opportunity to inform their students about homelessness and encourage them to get involved. Below you will find curriculum, books, and other resources to help you work with students.

Curriculum

Forget Me Not

In 2000 and 2001, the National Center coordinated Forget Me Not, a unique educational event designed to increase awareness about homelessness among schools and communities, and promote student involvement in community service and civic activities. Centered on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, Forget Me Not enabled children to share their experiences of homelessness directly with national lawmakers and students around the country. Legislators shared their views on addressing homelessness, and answered questions from an audience of over 200 children and participating schools in at least 36 states.

We are currently updating Forget Me Not resources. Please email info@familyhomelessness.org if you are interested in learning more.

Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless Classroom Curriculum

This collection of lesson plans provides background information for teachers about homelessness, as well as a list of resources, providers and ideas for service projects to help reinforce the curriculum. Learn more.   

Books for Children about Homelessness

Annotated list of children's books on homelessness.

Annotated list of children's books on trauma.

Websites

America’s Promise: The Alliance for Youth
America’s Promise: The Alliance for Youth is dedicated to mobilizing people from every sector of American life to build the character and competence of our nation’s youth. Their website not only provides links to other service-oriented organizations, but also provides ideas of ways that youth can get involved to help those in their community.

Do Something
The Do Something website is a youth-owned, nationwide network of young people who are taking action to change the world. The website provides ideas of hands-on ways youth can get involved in community service.

Institute for Children and Poverty
The Institute for Children and Poverty conducts research on strategies for fighting poverty and homelessness.

National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY)
NAEHCY connects educators, parents, advocates, researchers, and service providers to ensure school enrollment and attendance, and overall success for children and youth whose lives have been disrupted by the lack of safe, permanent, and adequate housing. NAEHCY accomplishes these goals through advocacy, partnerships, and education.

National Center for Homeless Education
Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the National Center for Homeless Education is a national resource center of research and information enabling communities to successfully address the needs of homeless children and youth and their families. NCHE products include educational rights posters, parent brochures, the LEA Homeless Education Liaison Handbook, the State Coordinators' Handbook, and the NAEHCY listserv.

National Network for Youth
The National Network for Youth is dedicated to ensuring that young people can be safe and lead healthy and productive lives. The Network informs public policy, educates the public, and strengthens the field of youth work.

We would like to hear from you!

Please send suggestions for tools to teach children about homelessness to Megan Grandin at megan.grandin@familyhomelessness.org.

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