November was National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, bringing light to an issue that affects 256 students in Catoosa County.

Melissa Holcombe, homeless student liaison and social worker for Catoosa schools, said 80 of those students had been displaced since the September floods.

For a student to be considered homeless, he or she must be without a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime resi-dence.

Holcombe said this includes students whose families are “doubling up” with another family or living in a lodge or hotel, often as a result of foreclosure.

A homeless student could also be considered an “unaccompanied youth” if he is not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian.

This includes students who inconsistently live with other students or family.

In order to give assistance to homeless students, the Children’s Fund was established in the school system more than 20 years ago.

She said the money for the fund comes from grants, donations and teacher deductions.

For example, the county recently received a $35,000 McKenny-Vento grant towards the fund.

“The fund helps pay for things like field trips, caps and gowns, school supplies and life supplies,” Holcombe said. “It lets (homeless students) make the most of their school.”

Recently, Heritage Middle School raised over $1,000 to go toward homeless student assistance.

On Dec. 5, Ace Hardware in Ringgold will host a “yard art Christmas sale” in which all proceeds will be donated to the fund.

There is also an emergency medical and dental program with area doctors that allows students without health care coverage to receive treatment with the school being billed for the service.

Holcombe said it is important for parents to understand that just because a family is homeless does not mean their child has to switch schools.

“We want students to stay in their school of origin,” Holcombe said. “We have transportation to help make that happen.”

Holcombe said the first step in getting assistance for a homeless student is contacting his school’s social worker.