The problem
Youth homelessness often becomes visible only after earlier opportunities for recognition and support have been missed. Schools may see signs of risk long before shelters or crisis systems do.
The gap in current policy
Most systems still rely on crisis contact or visible homelessness. COSS points toward coordinated school-community infrastructure that can identify hidden risk earlier.
Why schools matter
Schools provide consistent contact with young people during secondary school years, when early risk can appear through absenteeism, hunger, exhaustion, withdrawal, and disengagement.
How it works
The model connects early detection, referral pathways, community integration, family-centered support, and policy alignment so young people do not have to reach crisis before systems respond.
Quebec implementation question
A Quebec adaptation would need privacy safeguards, consent protocols, culturally responsive practice, stable community capacity, and interministerial policy support.