Miss Martin suspects a homeless student; what should she do to advocate and provide support?

• A. Ignore the concerns and monitor progress only.
• B. Share concerns with the student's parents without involving school staff.
• C. Call the child protective services immediately.
• D. Speak to administrator and the school counselor about acquiring resources for the family.

Answer: (D)

Advocacy in this situation means recognizing a potential housing insecurity and organizing a coordinated plan of support through the school team. The best step is to involve the administrator and the school counselor to assess needs and connect the family with appropriate resources, both within the school and in the community. This keeps the student’s safety and education as the focus and uses established channels to secure concrete help—such as enrollment support, meal programs, transportation, clothing, and housing assistance—while respecting privacy and family autonomy.

In many districts, the school has a designated liaison for homeless students and can help navigate protections and services available under laws like McKinney-Vento, ensuring the student remains in school with stability and support. Coordinating with the administrator and counselor also allows for a thoughtful, ongoing plan rather than taking unilateral action or bypassing school processes.