Roundtable discusses app-based early identification of families at risk of homelessness; staff to invite Crystal Pew

A participant raised the possibility of an app and preventative outreach to identify families connected to schools who may be at risk of homelessness and asked whether social workers and community liaisons could present frontline challenges at a future meeting. School staff described existing community-liaison functions — outreach, 24/7 contact numbers, coordination of clothing and gift cards, document assistance and referrals — and said those liaisons already work with families and social-service partners.

Meeting attendees agreed that it would be useful to have frontline staff present their day-to-day challenges; the group requested that Crystal Pew (identified in the record as recently hired and described as having a PhD) be invited to a forthcoming meeting to introduce herself and her work. The chair asked organizers to compile an email list to connect school and city staff immediately and said an initial contact email would be sent within a day or two.

Why it matters: Early identification and school-based referrals can connect families to shelter or services before situations escalate. Participants emphasized that the roundtable — which includes members who touch a large share of the community — can accelerate practical, nonpolicy interventions with immediate benefits for vulnerable students and families.

Next steps: Invite Crystal Pew to the next meeting, compile a shared contact list and begin immediate coordination between district liaisons and city staff or partner nonprofits (San Diego Rescue Mission was named as an engaged partner in the transcript).