As the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District’s families in transition coordinator, Amy Poole supports students and families who are experiencing homelessness, placed in foster care, or are part of the Safe at Home program. She is concerned by the increasing number of families in the District who are losing housing.
“This year I am seeing an increase in families that have lost housing due to rent increases,” Poole said. “Although many families are still doubling up with others, I have more families that are living on the street, in a car, or in a tent this year than in years past.”
Poole said the number of unhoused students in MCPASD has increased since the previous school year from 42 to 57 students.
“Although homelessness looks different if you are doubled up with others versus sleeping outside on the street, it is all incredibly stressful and impacts these students in so many ways,” Poole said. “Students have the right to feel safe, loved and part of a community.”
In addition to rising rents, she said contributing factors include less low-income family housing in the District’s communities and limited daycare spots available in the area. Increasing transportation costs, such as gas prices, and increases in the cost of living – including groceries and clothing prices – are also contributing factors.
Poole’s role includes connecting families with essential services and resources to help increase their stability and access to education but that’s becoming more difficult too.
“This has been the hardest part of my job,” Poole said. “All resources and options have been exhausted, and there is just nothing left for families to get into their own housing. The shelters continue to remain full with long waitlists, so even families with several young children – not even school age – and pregnant moms are not able to get in. Fortunately, the weather has been mild overall, but once the weather turns, several families will be in very difficult situations.”
Poole described the challenges for teachers and Student Services staff in supporting unhoused students. She said students arrive at school tired and hungry, and they experience anxiety about finding their parents after school as well as where they’ll sleep at night.
“With highly mobile students, getting them to school or home is a challenge as parents don’t always know where they will be,” Poole said. “Communication can be challenging due to cell phone bills or not being able to charge their cell phone.”
Poole said students are less engaged, and they tend to withdraw more because they’re uncomfortable with sharing information about their lives outside of school.
“They don’t want to be seen as less than or be pitied,“ Poole said.
She offered advice for those who want to support students in need: “Get involved, volunteer, and donate if you have the ability to do so. Also, don’t judge a student or family.”
Poole will serve as a panelist for a community discussion on the causes, impacts, and solutions to Dane County’s housing crisis on Oct. 23 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. at the Middleton Public Library. It’s open to the public, but registration is required. It’s presented by WayForward Resources, the Middleton Public Library, and the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters.
Learn more about how MCPASD supports students living in temporary housing to help ensure their continued access to education.