Education of Children Experiencing Homelessness

Project Connect, a program in the Department of Adult and Community Education, ensures the educational rights of children and youth in Central Ohio who are experiencing homelessness.  The goal of Project Connect is to minimize the detrimental effects of homelessness on a child’s educational success through advocacy, public awareness, and coordination of school-related services. What children need most of all is a home.  But while they are in transition, they need the consistency that school provides.

Project Connect is committed to advocating for the educational needs of children who have neither a choice nor a voice in being homeless. Working with family shelter providers, surrounding school districts, and 130 schools, the program offers both direct and supportive services, including assistance with:

• Determining program eligibility

• School enrollment

• Transportation to and from school

• Transfer of school records from previous school

• Special Education programs

• Early Childhood Developmental Screenings / Early Intervention

In addition, Project Connect provides after-school homework assistance and tutoring with certified teachers, as well as a comprehensive summer school program at its partner agency sites. Please call 614-365-5140 for more information.