This episode was produced under our previous focus on students experiencing homelessness.

In this episode of “I Will Be Your Voice: Stories of Homelessness and Hope,” Executive Director for SchoolHouse Connection Barbara Duffield shares about their work across the United States to overcome homelessness through education. Please read the transcript. 

Resources:

• SchoolHouse Connection
• SchoolHouse Connection ARP-HCY
• Pennsylvania state bills: https://schoolhouseconnection.org/state-policy-2023-q2-update/
• SHC Advocacy Network: https://schoolhouseconnection.org/advocacysignup
• Tom Norlen’s 1999 testimony [WARNING: GRAB TISSUES]: http://commdocs.house.gov/committees/edu/hedcew6-59.000/hedcew6-59.htm
• Pennsylvania Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness at Center for Schools and Communities 
• "I Will Be Your Voice" Podcast
• Sign up for email updates

Meet Our Guest:

Barbara Duffield is the executive director of SchoolHouse Connection. For more than 20 years, she has bridged policy and practice in early care, education, housing, and homelessness. In 1990, Barbara began her career as a tutor for children experiencing homelessness in Washington D.C. She was director of education for the National Coalition for the Homeless from 1994-2003, where she collaborated with service providers, educators, federal agencies, and congressional offices to address children’s issues. She served as the director of policy and programs at the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY) in Washington D.C. from 2003-2016, leading national efforts to strengthen federal protections and services for children and youth experiencing homelessness, from early childhood through higher education. Barbara helped to establish and develop the NAEHCY scholarship program for youth who have experienced homelessness and wish to pursue higher education. She has conducted technical assistance training, authored policy reports, appeared on television and radio shows, and has been quoted by various media outlets such as The New York Times and Education Week. Her academic work can be found in Educational Studies, Early Childhood Research Quarterly, and Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services. Barbara has served on numerous commissions and advisory groups, including Sesame Street Workshop’s Trauma Initiative and the National Commission on Children and Disasters education group. She received her bachelor’s degree summa cum laude in political science from the University of Michigan.

This episode was produced under our previous focus on students experiencing homelessness.

In this episode of “I Will Be Your Voice: Stories of Homelessness and Hope,” app Developer Prithvraj Lankar shares the importance of providing immediate access to services for homeless youth and families through the development of Pennsylvania’s newest resource: The Finding Your Way in PA app.  Please read the transcript.

Resources:

• Finding Your Way in PA App
• Shelter App
• Community Outreach Toolkit
• PA American Rescue Place Homeless Children and Youth Program (PA ARP-HCY Program)
• Pennsylvania Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness at Center for Schools and Communities 
• "I Will Be Your Voice" Podcast
• Sign up for email updates

Meet Our Guest:

Raj Lanka is a highly skilled developer who has made significant contributions to the field of homelessness resources. Raj's passion for helping the homeless community inspired him to create ShelterApp, which has become a game-changer in the field of homelessness resources. His work is a testament to his commitment to making the world a better place through technology. His work has been recognized by many news articles, which have featured his app as a vital tool for the homeless community.

This episode was produced under our previous focus on students experiencing homelessness.

In the premiere episode of “I Will Be Your Voice: Stories of Homelessness and Hope,” President of the National Coalition for the Homeless Board, Dr. Rajni-Shankar Brown, shares the effects of homelessness on students and the importance of equity and healing-centered practices to address educational gaps. Please read the transcript.

Resources:

• 2022 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report 
• Kids Count Data Center
• Center for Schools and Communities
• Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) 
• McKinney Vento Homelessness Assistance Act 
• Bring America Home Now 
• Lived Experience Training Academy   
• ECYEH Restorative Practices series 
• National Coalition for the Homeless 
• Pennsylvania’s Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program 
• "I Will Be Your Voice" Podcast
• Sign up for email updates

Meet Our Guest:

Rajni Shankar-Brown, Ph.D., is an internationally renowned and award-winning community-engaged educator, scholar, artist, poet, author, and human rights activist. Dr. Shankar-Brown is a professor at Stetson University, DeLand, Florida, and the president of the National Coalition for the Homeless, the nation’s oldest advocacy and direct service organization supporting people experiencing homelessness. Her work has been featured on over 100 media sites including CBS, The Washington Post, and The Seattle Times. For more information, visit her LinkedIn page.

This episode was produced under our previous focus on students experiencing homelessness.

Welcome to our new podcast, “I Will Be Your Voice: Stories of Homelessness and Hope.” Daily, we have conversations with practitioners and thought leaders in the field. We want to bring some of what we are learning - both successes and challenges - to help you better serve your community. The “I Will Be Your Voice” podcast will amplify the voices and stories of students experiencing homelessness across Pennsylvania and beyond.  Please read the transcript.

Resources:

• Pennsylvania Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness at Center for Schools and Communities 
•  "I Will Be Your Voice" Podcast
• Sign up for email updates