Identifying Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
This list offers general guidance only.
Students may differ from the characteristics listed.
School Related
- Registered and unenrolled in many schools in various locations – tends to move every six months
- Lacks basic school supplies
- Erratic school attendance – attendance issues
- Chronically late to school
- Leaves school early or skips classes (parents don’t respond)
- Can’t locate personal identification
- Noticeable gaps in education abilities and missing credits
- Lacks skills to stay organized
- Chronically fatigued – sleeping in classes all the time
- Turns in incomplete work or does not turn in any assignments (no preparation for school)
- Disrespectful in a manner that does not align with previous behavior
- Never participates in activities that require items from home
- Backpack has clothes and toothbrush
- Never turns in special projects (no access to supplies)
- Never participates in group projects outside of school
- Can’t keep track of books
- Extremely possessive of personal belongings
- Missing health records and may not be up to date on all vaccinations
- If participating in extracurricular activities, has difficulty with ride home after school, and parent never attends anything or picks student up (some homeless youths pariticipate in school sports to use the shower)
Personal Appearance and Health Related
- Poor personal hygiene, including dental hygiene
- Wears the same clothes or rotates dirty clothes
- Wears clothing inappropriate for the weather
- Abundance of somatic symptoms – stomach ache, headache, bowel issues, muscle pain, back pain, etc.
- Excessively thin or excessively obese (could be unrelated as well)
- Lacking feminine personal hygiene products
Behavior and Attitude Related
- Significant behavior change
- Erratic emotional outbursts – cussing, crying, screaming
- Wanting to fight/always in fights
- Lacks ability to focus
- Limited self-esteem
- Excessive shyness, avoids eye-contact
- Resistant to engage with peers and teachers
- Aggressive when feels attacked (which may not be attacking at all)
- Secretive of siblings and parents
- Seeks immediate gratification
- High anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Excessively apologizes
- Won’t disclose current address
- Won’t disclose parent’s number
- Hoards or steals food (due to hunger)
Please visit our FAQ and/or Refer a Student page(s) for information on referring a student and other program questions. If you are a student or family needing services, please contact your school social worker.
Other Ways to Get Involved
