More Than 1,100 Lafayette Students Are Facing Homelessness, Here’s How to Help

LAFAYETTE, La. - Newly released information from the Lafayette Parish School System is spotlighting a problem that often goes unnoticed across Acadiana.

More than 1,100 students enrolled in LPSS this school year have been identified as experiencing homelessness.

Officials say homelessness doesn't always look the way many of us imagine it does and, for many students, it's happening quietly behind the scenes.

LPSS is stepping up to help these students, and you can help.

Get our free mobile app

Homelessness Among Lafayette Students

When we hear the word homeless, we probably picture someone living on the streets. But that's not necessarily the reality for many students in Lafayette Parish.

Under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, homelessness includes children and teenagers who do not have a fixed, regular, and adequate place to sleep at night.

Staff Photo

Some students may move from house to house, while others may be what LPSS describes as "couch surfing." The circumstances behind those situations can vary, including family problems, financial struggles, housing instability, or other difficult situations at home.

READ MORE: LPSS My Ride K-12: Track Your Child's Bus

LPSS federal programs manager Amy Fontenot tells Acadiana News First -

Homelessness takes on many shapes and forms. Our families are not the ones on the street corner. Our families are usually in hiding. They’re afraid that their children will be taken away.

LPSS Is Working To Identify Students Who Need Help

The Lafayette Parish School System has a team dedicated to helping students and families dealing with homelessness. This team includes specialists and counselors who work directly with schools throughout Lafayette Parish to identify students who may need help.

Fontenot tells Acadiana News First that the goal is to make sure housing instability doesn't prevent a child from continuing their education or participating in everyday school activities.

Something as simple as taking a shower, finding food, having clean clothes, or knowing where they will be sleeping can become a daily concern. Challenges like this make it much harder for students to focus on homework, friendships, and everything else that comes with growing up.

woman standing in front of children

Support Includes Food, Clothing, Transportation And More

LPSS and its community partners work to provide basic necessities and other forms of support to students and families in need. Everything from school uniforms and clothing, transportation, to help allowing students to stay involved in school activities.

Fontenot says they also work to to make sure students aren't excluded from any clubs, sports, and other opportunities simply because their families are experiencing difficult circumstances.

READ MORE: Lafayette Parish Students Face Saturday Detention If They Violate Cell Phone Policy

How You Can Help

Lafayette and Acadiana has always been known as a community that steps up when neighbors need help.

Those interested in supporting students and families experiencing homelessness can contact the Lafayette Parish School System to find out what donations or resources are currently needed on their CONTACT US page.

Read more at acadiananewsfirst.com.