Number of Horry County homeless students increases

By: Thema Ponton | SCNow
Published: October 23, 2008

CONWAY -- Horry County education officials said the number of homeless students in Horry County is on the rise.

Carolyn Chestnut, chief officer for student services said there are 89 more homeless students this year than last in Horry County.

Chestnut said district officials don't need to know why a student is homeless, but they do need to know if they need help.

"The only reason that it would be important for us to be aware, so we can make sure that we promote services that's needed by these students for them to be successful in school." Chestnut said.

Some of those services include providing breakfast and lunch, school supplies, physical education uniforms, items for graduation and transportation if needed.

And Chestnut said it's not just paper, pencils, and book bags that students need.

"We’ve had more requests for services, for materials, like school materials, clothing, hygiene materials, some medical requests." Chestnut said.

District leaders said each school has a homeless liaison for the students to help them on a case by case basis.

A student could be classified as homeless if they are waiting in foster care to be placed with a family, live in substandard housing, or share housing.

Chestnut said she believe there are more homeless elementary students than middle and high-school.