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Welcome Center reports rise in McKinney-Vento referrals; warns federal funding is not guaranteed
Summary
Tara Rivera told the Saco School Board the Welcome Center received roughly 65 referrals Sept–Apr with about 55 students found eligible for McKinney-Vento services and that 72% of those eligible require coordinated transportation; she said the program currently runs on grant funding that may not be permanent.
Tara Rivera, the districtdirector of family engagement and McKinney-Vento liaison, told the Saco School Board April 29 that the Welcome Centera regional service shared by Saco, Biddeford and Daytonhad received roughly 65 referrals from September through April and that about 55 of those referrals were found eligible for McKinney-Vento services.
"Of those students, over 72% are needing required coordinated transportation services," Rivera said, underscoring that nonhousing supports such as school transportation are a central operational strain. She said the most common housing situation is "doubled up" households and described case examples (protected for confidentiality) that include unaccompanied youth and families fleeing domestic violence.
Rivera reminded the board that the McKinney-Vento Act creates a legal obligation to identify and serve students experiencing homelessness, "however, it does not provide guaranteed ongoing federal funding," and said current Welcome Center work operates on grant funding that may need to be absorbed locally as early as fiscal year 2027.
The Welcome Center model is regional and shared across three districts, Rivera said, which the presenters described as more efficient than each district maintaining a standalone program. Rivera said the center currently relies on grant support (including partnership work with Catholic Charities of Maine and state grants) and that staff plan to strengthen referral processes, maintain summer operations, expand staff training and conduct the annual McKinney-Vento eligibility review in July.
Superintendent Ray added that recent state-level and Maine Housing funding opportunities could supplement district efforts, and he noted approximately $3 million of school-directed funds were available statewide in recent sessions that could be pursued.
What this means: the Welcome Center is serving dozens of families each year and is reliant on short-term funding streams; board members and administration discussed pursuing grants and building sustainability into the district budget.
