HISD outlines ‘continuum of care’; public speakers say campus‑based wraparound supports are being cut

HISD staff on May 8 presented the district’s “continuum of care” framework that district leaders say organizes campus and centralized supports to meet students’ academic, physical, social and emotional needs.

Najah Callender, deputy chief of family and community partnerships, said the framework launched about a year earlier to align services across departments and help families access supports, and that the district is introducing an explainer video so families know how to request help. The presentation said referrals can be made via student assistance forms and that Sunrise Centers offer extended services including food distributions, clothing, counseling, after‑school programming, health services and referral to community partners.

“Every Sunrise Center has a dedicated case worker to ensure students and families get personalized support,” the video states, and the presentation named Hazel Health as a telehealth partner providing on‑campus telemedicine at no cost to families.

But multiple public speakers said campus‑based wraparound specialists — employees who had previously delivered many supports at the school site — have been cut, and that shifting services to centralized Sunrise Centers makes access harder for families. “Telling a hungry third grader their parents can get food… at a Sunrise Center is not going to help that child today,” said Brandy Doubt, citing a recent Kinder Institute study. Speakers including Sarah Rivlin and Kelly Blickery said campus specialists build daily relationships and can intervene immediately, whereas centralized centers cannot.

Several parents and community members described cases where immediate campus‑based help would have addressed urgent needs such as food, clothing or transportation. Critics said the district’s “hospital model” — locating services off campus in Sunrise Centers — reduces confidentiality and diminishes routine, everyday access. Supporters of the continuum said Sunrise Centers connect families to “community partners” for housing and employment when campus resources are insufficient.

District staff said the continuum is intended to be tiered: many needs are handled on campus, and more complex, longer‑term needs are referred to Sunrise Centers. The presentation and video emphasized a districtwide “family connection” team and local family connection centers. The board did not vote on a change to wraparound staffing during the meeting; speakers urged the board to restore campus wraparound specialists in addition to maintaining Sunrise Centers.