Homeless student population in Clackamas County climbs by about 20 percent
Published: Friday, October 01, 2010, 7:00 AM
Reflecting a statewide trend, the population of Clackamas County students identified as homeless rose by almost 20 percent during the 2009-10 school year.
Eight out of the 10 Clackamas County districts reported an increase in students without stable housing, according to statistics released by the Oregon Department of Education. The department said this year's statewide population is the highest count on record.
Homeless students in Clackamas County
Canby: 353 students, 7.09 percent
Colton: 0.3 percent*
Estacada: 19 students, 0.66 percent
Gladstone: 46 students, 2.21 percent
Lake Oswego: 19 students, 0.28 percent
Molalla River: 139 students, 5 percent
North Clackamas:279 students, 1.59 percent
Oregon City: 224 students, 2.71 percent
Oregon Trail: 161 students, 3.94 percent
West Linn-Wilsonville: 41 students, 0.49 percent
* Exact number not released to avoid identifying students.
Source: Oregon Department of Education
The Molalla River School District had the second-highest percentage,with 5 percent; its homeless population more than doubled, to 139 from61 students.
Cynthia Norberg, Molalla River's homeless liaison, said part of theincrease in Molalla can be attributed to an improvement in theidentification process. Federal law requires districts to employhomeless liaisons such as Norberg, who can provide students withclothing, school supplies, transportation and advice on socialservices.
The liaisons often rely on referrals from teachers, counselors,secretaries -- any employee who may notice that a student or astudent's family is struggling to find a safe and permanent livingsituation.
"It's an ongoing problem trying to educate everybody on how to identifythem," Norberg said, adding that many employees have become