Olivia Wahl
09 March 2026
In part 1 of this powerful S5E28 @schoolutionspodcast conversation, Erin Patterson, Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives at SchoolHouse Connection, pulls back the curtain on what homelessness in America truly looks like for children experiencing it. This conversation reveals how often the reality of a family experiencing homelessness is hidden, challenging common perceptions about critical social issues. In this episode, you'll learn: Why 80% of homeless students are "invisible" — and how that affects classroom behavior and student engagementHow housing instability shows up as fatigue, anxiety, and absenteeism (and what that means for effective teaching)The data gap between HUD's definition of homelessness and what schools actually seeWhy babies (yes, infants) are the age group most at risk of evictionHow a pro-kid mindset and the right education strategies can be a lifelineThe single resource Erin recommends for caregivers and educators who want to take actionWhy transportation is the #1 unfunded need in this spaceResources mentioned: ➡️Sara Shaw ➡️Harvard Center on the Developing Child ➡️Point-in-Time (PIT) Count ➡️HUD definition of homelessness ➡️McKinney-Vento Act ➡️Voices of Youth Don't miss Part 2 when Erin takes us inside Congress to break down the legislative wins for children experiencing homelessness and how YOU can be part of the change. 📑 CHAPTERS 0:00 Introduction: What Hidden Homelessness Really Looks Like 1:45 Meet Erin Patterson & SchoolHouse Connection 2:00 Key Research: Harvard Center on the Developing Child 3:30 Sara Shaw: The Nation's Leading Data Expert on Child Homelessness 4:30 What Homelessness Actually Looks Like for Families with Children 6:00 Why Children Experiencing Homelessness Are Invisible in Shelters 7:00 The Data Gap: HUD vs. Education Law Definitions 8:00 The Point-in-Time Count Problem 8:45 Washington DC: 9-10% of Infants & Toddlers Are Homeless 9:45 Why Children Can't Learn Without Stable Housing 10:30 Erin's Journey: From Teacher to Advocate 12:15 "The Classroom Showed Me the Symptoms" 13:00 Lightning Round: Hardest Part of the Job 14:00 The #1 Misconception About Child Homelessness 14:45 If You Had Unlimited Funding: Transportation 15:45 Best Resource for Educators & Caregivers 16:30 Preview: Part 2 — Inside Congress with SchoolHouse Connection 📧 Connect with me as a thought partner! 🎵 Music: Benjamin Wahl When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
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