Welcome…

Present...

Pinellas County Schools

Homeless Education Assistance Team

An informational presentation about Pinellas County Schools and their children in transition

“IN BETWEEN”

Parents

Sisters and

brothers

Children

FriendsThey are our…

With hopes and dreams

Homelessness in America today is an issue in the school

system that demands our attention and

action.

In Pinellas County, we have

over 2000 children whose families are in

transition and in temporary living

situations.

Under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance

Act, eligible children ages 3 to 18 and unaccompanied youth not in the custody of parent or guardian enrolled in public school qualify for specific services provided by

each county’s school district.

What is the definition of a family “in transition?”

*Does not have a fixed, regular, and adequate place to sleep

*Resides in a shelter, hotel, or motel

*Lives in a public place not designed for sleeping such as a car or park.

*Is a foster child awaiting placement or child abandoned in hospital

*Is a migrant child in the above circumstances

Unaccompanied Youth: A homeless unaccompanied youth is a youth who is not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian and who fits the McKinney-Vento definition of homeless

*Shares housing due to economic circumstances such as living with a relative or friend .

NOTE: Financial information of the host family is NOT considered in defining a family as homeless

How can Pinellas County Schools and the H.E.A.T. team

help your students in transition?

Transportation… to school of

origin as feasible or bus

voucher

Meal benefits… Free school

breakfast and lunch

Immediate enrollment… even without all necessary medical

or academic records

Educational support or tutoring.. as available in

certain locations

Assistance with community resources…

Clothes to Kids, Daycare, Shelter/Housing

Referral, etc.

School supplies… backpacks, pencils, notebooks, etc.

The mission of the Pinellas County Homeless Education

Assistance Team is to assist with the education, social, and family

needs of children and unaccompanied youth in transition by coordinating

communication and services among families, schools, and

communities.

Every day, a student comes to school…

He might be a brother…

Or a sister

Or a good friend

They have plans and

possibilities. Tests and trials…

And a future

The HEAT team is a dedicated group of social workers, academic coach, teachers, and support staff who are available to offer guidance

to Pinellas County families and their students in transition.

Contact your HEAT Team Representative

Region 1 – Jennifer Gallman

Region 2 & Region 6 (Middle Schools) – Terri Wills

Region 3 & Shelters– Janet Walker

Region 4 & Region 6 (High Schools) – Imani Spotwood

Region 5 & Region 6 (Elementary) – Suzanne Hennessey

Academic Coach (Middle Schools)- Louisa James

LEA Homeless Liaison- Althea Hudson

htt p://www.pinellas.k12.fl.us/Homeless

Written and Created ByLouisa James

Pinellas County SchoolsHEAT Team Academic

Coach©2010

THE END.