CCSD Staff
You Are a Lifeline for Youth Experiencing Homelessness in our Schools
Teachers are often the first to notice signs of youth homelessness: chronic tardiness, missing assignments, or sudden behavior changes. What may seem like everyday classroom challenges can be cries for help.
As a trusted adult, YOU have the power to recognize these red flags, offer stability, and be a cheerleader in a young person’s life. Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth (NPHY) has created this site for you, giving you the tools to spot the signs of homelessness, respond with care, and connect students to life-changing support. Your role matters more than you know.
To learn more about how to recognize and support students experiencing homelessness, please watch the video below:
Who Is Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth (NPHY)?
NPHY is the most comprehensive service provider in Southern Nevada working exclusively with young people experiencing homelessness. Our mission is to end youth homelessness and its devastating impact – for each youth we encounter and our community as a whole. Since 2001, NPHY’s best practice programs have helped thousands of homeless youth graduate from high school, enroll in college, embark on careers, find their passions, build supportive social networks, transition to safe and stable housing, and realize brighter futures. Check out our video below to learn more about the programs we offer for young people experiencing homelessness:
NPHY Programs Animation
Understanding Youth Homelessness
Youth homelessness is a national and local crisis—impacting millions.
- Nationwide, 4.2 million youth ages 13–25 experience homelessness each year.
- That’s 1 in 10 young adults (18–25)
- And 1 in 30 minors (13–17)
- Locally, thousands of Clark County students experience housing instability every year, with hundreds to over 1,000 youth without shelter on any given night.
- During an average school year, between 10,000 and 15,000 students are identified as experiencing homelessness in CCSD schools!
Homelessness doesn’t always look like sleeping on the streets–it also includes couch-surfing or staying in extended stay motels, shelters, doubled-up with family or friends due to economic hardship, or in otherwise unsafe or unstable housing.
Why does it happen?
Family conflict, abuse, system failures, and economic hardship are common causes. Youth of color, LGBTQ+ youth, and system-involved youth face even higher risks.
What to Look Out For
Recognizing signs of homelessness can help you support students before they fall through the cracks. What may seem like behavioral issues or disengagement often stem from trauma or instability—not defiance.
Here are some common red flags:
- Staying at school after closing time
- Avoiding questions about their address or reacting with anger/embarrassment
- Inconsistent grooming or wearing the same clothes for several days
- Frequently changing living situations or mentioning motels, campgrounds, or friends’ homes
- Inability to pay fees or contact parents
- Hesitant to turn on camera during virtual class or with unfamiliar people in the background
Your awareness can lead to life-changing support.
Shareable Resources
For Educators
Looking for quick, ready-to-use tools to support your students? Below you’ll find a few tools available for your use to share with students and other CCSD staff, including a short NPHY & CCSD partnership training video, printable poster, tips and trick sheet, and awareness resources to help you recognize signs of youth homelessness, respond with care, and connect students to help. Empower yourself and your team with the tools to make a real difference.
- CCSD Title I HOPE video
Request a poster for your classroom/office/school below.
For Youth
For a young person experiencing homelessness, accessing services can be intimidating. We want young people to feel confident walking through our doors knowing that they will end up in a place that feels like home. If you know a young person who needs support, please share these videos about NPHY’s programs.
Client Testimonials
Do you need a Safe Place to go right now?
You can walk into any Terrible Herbst convenience store, City of Las Vegas Fire Station, Las Vegas-Clark County Library, Henderson Library, or get onto any Regional Transportation Commission bus and ask for a Safe Place and you will receive immediate help.
Just look for this sign…
Request Support for Your Students
Teachers and school staff are often the first to notice when a student is struggling with basic needs. For a youth experiencing homelessness, something as simple as a granola bar, a clean pair of socks, or a travel-sized hygiene kit can restore a sense of normalcy and make it easier to focus in class.
NPHY offers food kits, hygiene kits, and classroom, club, or assembly presentations to raise awareness about youth homelessness and connect students to the help they need. These resources are available to support you in creating a safe, inclusive environment where every student can thrive.
If you notice students in need or want to educate your school community, submit a request and we’ll bring the support directly to your campus.