INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Homelessness among children enrolled in Indiana public schools rose 26 percent over the two years ending in 2008-09 as the state felt the brunt of the economic downturn, a new report shows.

The report this week by First Focus, a children’s advocacy group, cited recently released federal data showing that homelessness among students nationwide grew for two straight years since 2006-07. The group called on Congress to pass new funding for homeless student programs, noting that stimulus funding for that purpose is running out.

The First Focus report did not provide the total number of homeless students for the years examined, but Indiana Department of Education data shows they numbered nearly 10,000 across Indiana last year.

The state data said 43 percent of homeless schoolchildren were in kindergarten through third grade. The report also said those students were suspended from school at a rate nearly twice the state average.

“It’s extremely difficult for the kids. They don’t know where they’re going to be staying tonight ... if they’re going to get a meal tonight,” said Christina Endres, the department’s coordinator for homeless education. “Certainly there’s a lot of emotional baggage that comes with this.”

The First Focus report, which was released Tuesday, said the number of homeless public school students nationally rose 41 percent from 2006-07 to 2008-09. Indiana’s 26 percent growth was tied for 27th highest among states.

Lisa Travis, program manager for the Indiana Institute for Working Families at the Indiana Community Action Association, said the number of unemployed Indiana residents, those living below the poverty level and those receiving food stamps continue to go up.

“We’ll likely see these numbers increase during 2010, and the impacts they will have on children will obviously grow,” Travis said.

The federal stimulus funding included nearly $1 million in grants to 27 schools districts across Indiana to subsidize costs for transporting homeless children to schools and providing programs to help them outside the classroom. Under federal law, homeless children can keep attending the school where they begin the instruction year, no matter where their families relocate.

The Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. in Columbus, about 40 miles south of Indianapolis, received a $55,000 grant to hire a shelter to help get homeless students enrolled and provide after-school help, said Larry Perkinson, the district’s student assistance coordinator.

“We’ve got kids who move three or four times a year,” he said.

Craig Martin, director of student services for the Fort Wayne Community Schools, the state’s second-largest district, said a key challenge is coming up with transportation solutions to keep homeless students’ school environments stable so they retain their friends and have access to support services. In some cases, staff must use their personal vehicles.

“Not only is it a mobility and academic issue, it’s a social issue for them,” Martin said.

The 2009 Indiana Department of Education data said three-quarters of the state’s counties had homeless students, but nearly half were located in Indianapolis and six surrounding counties.

Endres, the state coordinator, said each public school district and each public charter school is required by law to have a staff member assigned to assist homeless students.

Posted 7/29/2010