MADISON, Wis. -- United Way of Dane County is committing to reduce the number of homeless children with a five-year plan to assist families in need.

Families with children are some of the most common faces in Dane County shelters. Last year, 865 kids spent time there.

The new HALT program is proactive about families' needs, helping them get on their feet with housing assistance, access to food surplus stores and case management.

"The children of homeless families not only suffer the trauma of the initial homelessness, but deal with long-term consequences," said Nan Cnare, vice president of community building for United Way of Dane County. "Homeless kids are four times more likely to drop out of school."

United Way is partnering with professional volunteers to help give advice to families in the program.

If you would like to get involved, you can call United Way at (608) 246-4350.