Infants and Toddler Homelessness Across 50 States: 2021-2022

I wanted to share with you that SchoolHouse Connection recently released a new report,  "Infant and Toddler Homelessness Across 50 States: 2021-2022". Unveiling the most detailed examination yet of homelessness impacting infants and toddlers, this groundbreaking analysis is the first-ever state-by-state compilation of data shedding light on the challenges faced by our nation’s youngest children. The report reveals how prevalent homelessness is among infants and toddlers, which can be detrimental to their development with long-term consequences. 

The analysis found that nearly 365,000 birth through age three-year-old children experienced homelessness across the United States during the 2021-2022 program year, which represents approximately 2.5% of the entire birth through age three population. Only 41,767, or just over 11%, of these children were enrolled in an early childhood development program, with some states serving as few as 3.5%, and others as many as 55%. 

It is clear that we must urge decision makers at all levels to address this low enrollment rate and support infants and toddlers experiencing homelessness. To address gaps in access to early learning programs, the report provides policy recommendations and strategies for federal, state, and local action to enhance the identification of families and young children experiencing homelessness and to improve their access to critical services and housing supports. 

Read the new report to learn how we can move forward to increase visibility and expand programs supporting infants and toddlers experiencing homelessness.

Please join SchoolHouse Connection alongside guest presenters who will walk through this data in more detail, and share how providers, systems leaders, policymakers, and advocates can take action to increase access to services for infants, toddlers, and their families in our upcoming webinar on Wednesday March 27th at 3:00pm EST. Register here.