The program aims to help homeless students in Caddo Parish succeed

SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) — Backpacks full of school supplies, parents packing lunches and many students will be wearing new clothes this school year.

But it is important to remember those who are not as fortunate.

An organization is looking to help support Caddo Parish students who may be experiencing homelessness.

The McKinney-Vento Education Program is hard at work trying to ensure that any student who is considered homeless in Caddo Parish has the resources to be successful this school year.

WHO ARE THE HOMELESS?

The terms “homeless children” and homeless youth refer to people who lack a fixed, regular and adequate residence at night and include those:

• Live in an emergency shelter or transitional housing
• Abandoned in hospitals
• Live in motels, hotels, caravan parks or campsites due to lack of suitable alternative accommodation
• Live in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations or similar places
• “Double living” with friends or family due to loss of home, economic hardship or similar reason
• An “unaccompanied youth” who is not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian
• Migrant children living in these conditions

“Last year, we had about 1,800 students that we served,” Dr. Lacy said. “So that’s what we want to do this year; we want to serve those kids, but also find the kids we didn’t know about.”

“We provide those McKinney-Vento services to our families through after-school tutoring, through all-day tutoring,” said Dr. Cleveland Mouton. “We have different types of resources available to parents and even community partners. We also partner with the food bank and bring different resources to them as well.”

Through the McKinney-Vento Education Program, students can obtain school supplies, uniforms and transportation services. They also assign case managers to families to help parents as well.

“Case managers are able to provide them with resources such as information about jobs, utility bills that are paid, housing assistance,” Dr. Lacy explained.

Families can apply to join the McKinney-Vento Education Program through its website or by calling the program at (318) 603-5615.

Some schools, such as Caddo Heights Elementary, allow parents to come enroll on campus.

“All they have to do is come to the school, tell us what’s going on and we’ll take care of the rest,” Dr. Mouton said.

Therefore, the program is completely confidential.

And both Dr. Mouton and Dr. Lacy want families to know that they are here to help students in the community.

“Get in touch with us. Don’t hesitate, we’re here to help,” said Dr. Lacy. “Our goal is to ensure that every child in Caddo Parish who is considered homeless is successful. And we will do everything in our power to make sure that happens.”

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