Now that the data is in on homeless children, it's time for the state to refocus its efforts on the needs of children at the base level of homelessness — our shelters.

For the first time since 2003, a new demographic report on homeless children in Hawai'i quantifies the problem and more than confirms what we've long suspected: Children make up an alarming percentage of the homeless population.

The disturbing report, released last week by the Department of Human Services and the University of Hawai'i's Center on the Family, shows that nearly 1,800 children 17 and younger used emergency and transitional shelters throughout the state for part of 2004 and 2005.

That's a third of all those who were in shelters during that time.

What are we doing in our state shelters to deal with children specifically? Not enough, according to Sylvia Yuen, director of UH's Center on the Family. It's easy to see how children's needs can be overshadowed in shelters. Even with 21 of the 30 state shelters dedicated to families, resources are still primarily targeted toward adults, as it should be.

But no child should go without food or shelter, and their needs must be a priority as well. To date, the schools have been the primary focus to help homeless children. Within the public schools, the DOE has a one-person resource staff dedicated toward helping homeless students in the entire state. We can do better.

When children return to the shelters after school, the differences between their living environment and that of their classmates' are stark. In the state-run shelters, too often little distinction is placed between services for homeless adults and homeless children.

That needs to change.

Yuen suggests a new attitude that encompasses how to use the space and facilities. For example, if school-age children must do homework, they'll need a quiet place to study. That's often hard to do in a warehouse setting. Beyond the physical aspects of a shelter, the Hawai'i Public Housing Authority needs to reach out to more organizations that can provide services dedicated to the children, such as educational activities, children's health or counseling.

These are all things that can be done to make sure that children, the most vulnerable members of the homeless community, are served well.

The new data is distressing. But it can be empowering, if the state acts on it.