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Family Resource Center staff describe supports for 700+ students dealing with housing instability and foster care
Summary
District liaisons and advocates reported the Family Resource Center and McKinney‑Vento/foster‑care liaison team served more than 700 students this year and described programs that provide backpacks, clothing, hygiene items, food assistance and rental or utility help.
District staff who run the Family Resource Center (FCRC) briefed the board on March 10 about services for students and families experiencing housing instability and foster‑care placement.
Lynell Murray, the district director who introduced the presentation, and the district’s McKinney‑Vento liaisons and advocates described a set of programs that help students stay enrolled and attend school. Staff said the FCRC and its partners have served more than 700 students so far this school year and identified 244 students currently facing housing insecurity under the McKinney‑Vento federal definition. The district said 66 students are identified as in foster care this year.
Student and family advocates described core services: a clothes closet for gently used and donated clothing; a backpack and school‑supply program; weekend food bags via Share Vancouver; gas and transportation support to get students to school; utilities and rent assistance to avoid evictions; help obtaining critical identity documents such as birth certificates and state IDs; and referrals to community legal, medical and employment services. Staff said advocates also help families sign up for benefits including SNAP (food stamps) and insurance and sometimes arrange short hotel stays for immediate emergency shelter.
Advocates named partners including the Battleground Education Foundation and local churches and community organizations that donate supplies or funds. The FCRC’s small team — five people serving 19 schools — said it relies on volunteers and partners to meet demand and described plans to expand outreach and volunteer support.
“People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel,” one liaison said, summarizing the program’s focus on relationships. Board members thanked staff and asked how community members could help; staff invited donations of clothing, supplies and volunteer time and noted the foundation also accepts financial donations to provide flexible support.
