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Where to now?
Summary
Authorized under Federal law through the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act, the Columbus City Schools’ Project Connect Program provides services to ensure that identified children and youth experiencing homelessness have access to a free and appropriate public education by removing barriers due to homelessness. As advocates for educational rights, there are various services the program provides to assist families in transition.
Project Connect works with students, parents, Columbus City Schools (CCS) employees, partner agencies, and other local school districts to provide assistance with:
- school selection and enrollment
- school transportation
- wellness checks and on-going social and emotional support
- book bags and school supplies for students
- assistance with high school graduation fees and expenses
- addressing barriers that affect school attendance and full participation
- obtaining necessary documents such as birth certificates, school records, and medical records
- dispute resolution regarding school choice and enrollment
How we can help
A self-referral or referral from a school staff will prompt an initial contact from a Project Connect team member. One of our staff will connect with the referring person to gather further information assess the student or families immediate needs. We will address barriers to education including school enrollment and transportation concerns.
Project Connect will supply a homeless verification letter to Head Start and Early Head Start programs that can help with childcare and preschool enrollment. Families with a homeless verification letter can avoid a waiting list in most cases.
Project Connect staff will address transportation needs. We will request a school bus for students of all ages. If a school bus is not available, we will offer other transportation options to help keep students arriving safely and on time to school.
Each identified student in Columbus City Schools will have an Academic Youth Support Advocate assigned who will monitor and assist with attendance challenges, academic progress and will connect students to needed supports. These Advocates follow up after the initial contact and stay with the student for the remainder of the school year.
Project Connect is an Access Point Site with the Community Shelter Board’s Homelessness Prevention Network (HPN). The team will connect the student and family to the HPN and Rapid Rehousing programs, which will help identify housing options
Project Connect will link families with community resources to access local food pantries and clothing.
Project Connect will encourage school stability and help address any academic or non-academic barrier to help keep all students in their school of origin.
Project Connect will help families navigate the various departments and services of Columbus City Schools such as Special Education, translation & interpreting services, career & technical education, and other school-related programs.
Project Connect will often become the first call for the families when they are navigating their housing instability. They are overwhelmed and having the support of Project Connect can ease the overall stress. We are happy to help and be a part of their team.
{{intro.title}}
{{currentLocationTitle}}
ALERT
{{currentLocationMod.title}}
Where to now?
Summary
Authorized under Federal law through the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act, the Columbus City Schools’ Project Connect Program provides services to ensure that identified children and youth experiencing homelessness have access to a free and appropriate public education by removing barriers due to homelessness. As advocates for educational rights, there are various services the program provides to assist families in transition.
Project Connect works with students, parents, Columbus City Schools (CCS) employees, partner agencies, and other local school districts to provide assistance with:
- school selection and enrollment
- school transportation
- wellness checks and on-going social and emotional support
- book bags and school supplies for students
- assistance with high school graduation fees and expenses
- addressing barriers that affect school attendance and full participation
- obtaining necessary documents such as birth certificates, school records, and medical records
- dispute resolution regarding school choice and enrollment
How we can help
A self-referral or referral from a school staff will prompt an initial contact from a Project Connect team member. One of our staff will connect with the referring person to gather further information assess the student or families immediate needs. We will address barriers to education including school enrollment and transportation concerns.
Project Connect will supply a homeless verification letter to Head Start and Early Head Start programs that can help with childcare and preschool enrollment. Families with a homeless verification letter can avoid a waiting list in most cases.
Project Connect staff will address transportation needs. We will request a school bus for students of all ages. If a school bus is not available, we will offer other transportation options to help keep students arriving safely and on time to school.
Each identified student in Columbus City Schools will have an Academic Youth Support Advocate assigned who will monitor and assist with attendance challenges, academic progress and will connect students to needed supports. These Advocates follow up after the initial contact and stay with the student for the remainder of the school year.
Project Connect is an Access Point Site with the Community Shelter Board’s Homelessness Prevention Network (HPN). The team will connect the student and family to the HPN and Rapid Rehousing programs, which will help identify housing options
Project Connect will link families with community resources to access local food pantries and clothing.
Project Connect will encourage school stability and help address any academic or non-academic barrier to help keep all students in their school of origin.
Project Connect will help families navigate the various departments and services of Columbus City Schools such as Special Education, translation & interpreting services, career & technical education, and other school-related programs.
Project Connect will often become the first call for the families when they are navigating their housing instability. They are overwhelmed and having the support of Project Connect can ease the overall stress. We are happy to help and be a part of their team.