When the U.S. Congress established the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act in 1987, it provided assistance to school districts across the country working to tackle the increasing number of homeless students.
Nearly 30 years after the act was passed, Fort Bend ISD continues to use its funding to support different programs geared to keep homeless Fort Bend County students in the classroom.
Amanda Hartley, assistant director of FBISD’s special programs, said the district provides school materials, transportation and social services to homeless students attending its schools.
“We provide a liaison between the district and the county,” Hartley said. “Even though [students] are bouncing in their residences, the school itself stays the same. It is a more permanent and stable enrollment piece.”
Hartley said FBISD immerses its homeless students with the general population to avoid segregation and outcasting. Each homeless student is assigned a school counselor and social worker to work through any behavioral and emotional issues.
Although FBISD cannot directly provide housing options for homeless students, the district partners with shelters in the city of Houston and Harris County to provide housing options. Hartley said there is a shortage of homeless shelters for students in Fort Bend County, which has made it difficult to retain certain students.
“It is a significant issue for Fort Bend County where [homelessness] has grown every year,” she said.
FBISD’s homeless program also services the surrounding Greater Houston area. Hartley said the district reaches out to shelters, including the Mabel R. Parks Youth Ranch in Richmond, to provide students with an education. As each student advances through the program, FBISD helps students apply for college and transition out of high school.
Of the 16 FBISD homeless students who graduated in 2015, 10 received scholarships.
“Our focus is to help those kids in high school and then help them transition out of high school,” Hartley said.
Looking ahead, the special program is applying for state and federal grants to further its technological footprint. Hartley said FBISD is working toward providing an online portal for students who are unable to attend a class, but can access it online. She said this prevents such students from losing class credit and helps them stay on track in their education.
“We’re trying to find avenues and opportunities through technology and through promoting our attendance and transportation for students to get their credits and graduate,” Hartley said.
