The document discusses homelessness among school-aged children and the services provided by the Pinellas County Schools Homeless Education Assistance Team (HEAT). It states that over 2,000 children in Pinellas County are considered homeless under the federal McKinney-Vento Act definition. The HEAT team aims to ensure immediate school enrollment, educational support, and connecting families with community resources for homeless students and youth. The document provides contact information for the HEAT team social workers and academic coach who are available to assist families and students experiencing homelessness.

1. Welcome…
Pinellas County
Schools
Homeless Education
Assistance Team
Present...

3. Friends
Children

6. Homelessness in
America today is an
issue in the school
system that demands
our attention and action.

7. In Pinellas
County, we have
over 2000
children whose
families are in
transition and in
temporary living
situations.

8. 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.

9. 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

10. *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
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

11. How can Pinellas
County Schools and the
H.E.A.T. team help your
students in transition?

12. 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.

14. He might be
a brother…
Or a good friend
Or a sister

15. And have plans and
a future
They
possibilities.
Tests and trials…

16. 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.

17. LEA Homeless Liaison- Althea Hudson
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

19. Written and Created By
Louisa James
Pinellas County Schools
HEAT Team Academic Coach
©2010
THE END.