Houston ISD officials announced the closure of the district’s wraparound services department, which provided food and housing support, tutoring and mentoring services, and assistance with obtaining items like clothing and hygiene products.

The details

HISD officials announced the department closure in an April 17 letter to parents.

Najah Callander, the district’s deputy chief of family and community partnerships, said the department’s closure is coming as officials shift most of the services to the district’s seven Sunrise Centers, which serve as community hubs where students and their families can access essential services from a variety of partners and providers.

Some context


The closure of the wraparound services department is coming about 10 months after the district announced plans to cut around 200 of the 300 staff members who’d been employed in the department.

Jose Irizarry, HISD senior media relations specialist, said campus-level wraparound services had been funded by Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds doled out in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which expired at the end of the 2023-24 school year.

A closer look

While the district is shutting down the wraparound services department, Callander said the district will still offer most of the services it provided through the district’s seven Sunrise Centers.


According to the district's website, the Sunrise Centers offer the following core services:
  • Medical care
  • Mental health services
  • Case management services
  • Clothing and uniform shops
  • Food pantry and market offerings
  • Student and parent enrichment services
Get involved

According to the district’s website, students can access Sunrise Center services by visiting any of the district’s seven centers, including:Additionally, students can fill out an intake form on the district’s website.