The Hillsboro-Deering Families in Transition Program is designed to assist students and families of the District who are experiencing homelessness or are in danger of becoming homeless. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act defines homelessness as lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.

This includes children and youth who are:

• Sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason (referred to as “doubled-up”)

• Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or campgrounds due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations

• Living in emergency or transitional shelters

• Abandoned in hospitals; or

• Awaiting foster care placement

The purpose of the Families in Transition Program is to ensure that homeless children in the Hillsboro-Deering School District have equal access to the same public education as their non-homeless peers. This is achieved by removing any barriers that may interfere with their ability to enroll, attend, and succeed in school.

The Families in Transition Coordinator (Homeless Liaison) serves as a primary contact between homeless families and school staff, District personnel, shelter workers and other community service providers. The Liaison assesses the needs of each student or family and makes appropriate referrals to both school and community supports and services based on individual needs.

• The Families in Transition Coordinator has assisted homeless children/families with activities such as the following:

• Enrolling in school and accessing school services

• Obtaining school and medical records

• Educating students, guardians, and school personnel of the rights of homeless children

• Coordinating transportation services when necessary

• Referrals to resources such as food, clothing, medical and mental health care

• Providing access to school and extra-curricular activities

• Providing access to tutoring and other academic assistance as needed