White Co Schools Family Resource Center: Homeless Students A Region Wide Issue

White County Schools have seen a continued increase in the number of homeless students in its district.

Family Resource Center Director Beverly Dronebarger said approximately 75 students have been identified as homeless.

“Some of that has been resulting from COVID, loss of work for families being displaced from other communities,” Dronebarger said. “But some of it has just come from us educating our teachers and our building staff who are enrolling students to capture those numbers.”

Homeless students are not just specific to White County. Dronebarger said she works with several other school systems in the region that see similar issues.

“Before coming to White County I worked at the Putnam County Schools for 20 years doing this same job and had very similar work there,” Dronebarger said. “The numbers are actually pretty high in Putnam County, so yes, it is very similar county to county just depending on the size of the county.”

Dronebarger said once identifying students in need, work to close the gap begins. Dronebarger said the Family Resource Center provides supplies, clothing and tutoring to support students.

“In addition, we have just hired some new personnel to assist with the program,” Dronebarger said. “(…) She will be directly working with students in the schools monitoring attendance to just help identify.”

Dronebarger said homelessness comes in many different forms. Dronebarger said the school system counts situations such as living in a hotel or bunking with family or friends while in transition.