This qualitative study investigates and analyzes the barriers faced by homeless children and their families in southeast Michigan. The experiences of current or formerly homeless families are documented in relation to perceived obstacles and supports in their schools and child care centers through open-ended, semi-structured interviews and ethnographic classroom observations. A small sample of parents, children, teachers, and case workers are interviewed, and nine children are observed in three schools. The analysis of data reveals significant barriers and obstacles for children who experience indifferent and demeaning treatment in their school environments. Conversely, the findings point to significant benefits for homeless children in caring and committed school environments, where school personnel advocate for the educational rights of homeless children. Recommendations include training of teachers and other school personnel to facilitate awareness and sensitivity to the social and educational needs of homeless children, and the creation of respectful and inclusive school environments.
","abstract_html":"<p>This qualitative study investigates and analyzes the barriers faced by homeless children and their families in southeast Michigan. The experiences of current or formerly homeless families are documented in relation to perceived obstacles and supports in their schools and child care centers through open-ended, semi-structured interviews and ethnographic classroom observations. A small sample of parents, children, teachers, and case workers are interviewed, and nine children are observed in three schools. The analysis of data reveals significant barriers and obstacles for children who experience indifferent and demeaning treatment in their school environments. Conversely, the findings point to significant benefits for homeless children in caring and committed school environments, where school personnel advocate for the educational rights of homeless children. Recommendations include training of teachers and other school personnel to facilitate awareness and sensitivity to the social and educational needs of homeless children, and the creation of respectful and inclusive school environments.</p>","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Moorman, Felice"],"institution":null,"degree_name":"Master of Arts (MA)","degree_level":"Open Access Thesis","degree_discipline":"Teacher Education","degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":["Valerie Polakow, PhD, Chair","Martha Baiyee, PhD","Rebecca Martusewicz, EdD"],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2009,"date_issued":"2009-01-01T08:00:00Z","date_published":"2009-01-01T08:00:00Z","updated_at":"2026-07-24T02:16:36Z","subjects":["Homeless children Education United States","Homeless children United States Social conditions","Children with social disabilities Education United States","Education"],"languages":[],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://commons.emich.edu/theses/230","outbound_label":"Repository record","outbound_source":"dc:identifier"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor","label":"Contributor","values":["Valerie Polakow, PhD, Chair","Martha Baiyee, PhD","Rebecca Martusewicz, EdD"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Moorman, Felice"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Teacher Education"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["Open Access Thesis"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Master of Arts (MA)"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Homeless children Education United States","Homeless children United States Social conditions","Children with social disabilities Education United States","Education"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["https://commons.emich.edu/theses/230"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["This qualitative study investigates and analyzes the barriers faced by homeless children and their families in southeast Michigan. The experiences of current or formerly homeless families are documented in relation to perceived obstacles and supports in their schools and child care centers through open-ended, semi-structured interviews and ethnographic classroom observations. A small sample of parents, children, teachers, and case workers are interviewed, and nine children are observed in three schools. The analysis of data reveals significant barriers and obstacles for children who experience indifferent and demeaning treatment in their school environments. Conversely, the findings point to significant benefits for homeless children in caring and committed school environments, where school personnel advocate for the educational rights of homeless children. Recommendations include training of teachers and other school personnel to facilitate awareness and sensitivity to the social and educational needs of homeless children, and the creation of respectful and inclusive school environments.
"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["The impact of homelessness on young children: Building resilience through supportive early educational interventions"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor":["Valerie Polakow, PhD, Chair","Martha Baiyee, PhD","Rebecca Martusewicz, EdD"],"dc:creator":["Moorman, Felice"],"dc:description.abstract":["This qualitative study investigates and analyzes the barriers faced by homeless children and their families in southeast Michigan. The experiences of current or formerly homeless families are documented in relation to perceived obstacles and supports in their schools and child care centers through open-ended, semi-structured interviews and ethnographic classroom observations. A small sample of parents, children, teachers, and case workers are interviewed, and nine children are observed in three schools. The analysis of data reveals significant barriers and obstacles for children who experience indifferent and demeaning treatment in their school environments. Conversely, the findings point to significant benefits for homeless children in caring and committed school environments, where school personnel advocate for the educational rights of homeless children. Recommendations include training of teachers and other school personnel to facilitate awareness and sensitivity to the social and educational needs of homeless children, and the creation of respectful and inclusive school environments.
"],"dc:identifier":["https://commons.emich.edu/theses/230"],"dc:subject":["Homeless children Education United States","Homeless children United States Social conditions","Children with social disabilities Education United States","Education"],"dc:title":["The impact of homelessness on young children: Building resilience through supportive early educational interventions"],"thesis:degree_discipline":["Teacher Education"],"thesis:degree_level":["Open Access Thesis"],"thesis:degree_name":["Master of Arts (MA)"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-24T02:16:36Z"}