SHELTERED HOMELESS CHILDREN - THEIR ELIGIBILITY AND UNMET NEED FOR SPECIAL-EDUCATION EVALUATIONS

Objectives. This study described the proportion of sheltered homeless children in Los Angeles, Calif. who were eligible for special educatio n evaluations because of a probable behavioral disorder, learning disa bility, or mental retardation, and to explore their level of unmet nee d for special education services, Methods. This was a cross-sectional study of 118 parents and 169 children aged 6 through 12 years living i n 18 emergency homeless family shelters in Los Angeles County, Califor nia, Parents and children were interviewed with standardized mental he alth and academic skill measures in English and Spanish. Results. Almo st half (45%) of the children met criteria for a special education eva luation, yet less than one quarter (22%) had ever received special edu cation testing or placement. The main point of contact for children wi th behavioral disorders and learning problems was the general health c are sector. Conclusions. School-aged sheltered homeless children have a high level of unmet need for special education evaluations, the firs t step toward accessing special education programs. Interventions for homeless children should include integration of services across specia l education, general health care, and housing service sectors.