How central Iowa schools are using state grants to help homeless students
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Education granted 25 school districts over $400,000 in grants to support transportation and basic needs of students and families experiencing homelessness.
Of the 25 schools that received these grants, eight of them are in central Iowa.
Ames, Colfax-Mingo, Creston, Des Moines, Fairfield, and Newton school districts each received a $10,000 grant that will be used to create resource hubs inside their schools. These hubs will store necessities like food, personal hygiene supplies, clothing, washer/dryer, emergency supplies, and portable shower units.
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The Ames Community School District announced that it's also in the process of creating a food pantry for students that will be available in a few weeks.
The Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont Community School District was awarded $31,500. Of this sum, $22,000 will go towards transportation to help get students to and from school, and the remaining $9,500 will go towards creating resource hubs.
The Indianola Community School District received a $2,700 grant from the state. A spokesperson for the district said they're using the grant to purchase a refrigerator to provide food for students in need outside of their breakfast and lunch delivery times. The remaining money will go directly to families to help them with hygiene and clothing needs.
Housing insecurity is a problem that students are facing across rural and urban communities, despite it being more common in urban areas. 14 students at the Colfax-Mingo Community School District are homeless, making up 2% of the student population, and the Des Moines Public Schools have 525 students who identify as homeless.
"The number of students who are homeless is larger than several school districts total enrollment, and so this is a priority of ours," said Superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, Dr. Ian Roberts.
Homelessness is one factor that may deter students from attending school. Dr. Roberts said providing resources for students who are facing homelessness can help them attend class more often, which will also help lower chronic absenteeism within the district.
