10.26.2022 | PIX 11 | New York City has committed to hiring 100 shelter-based Department of Education Community Coordinators this year to help families navigate the school system, resolve barriers to regular attendance, and connect students in shelter with needed supports. However, a month and a half into the school year, at a time when the shelter system is at a breaking point, none of these staff have been hired, according to Advocates for Children. 

Jennifer Pringle, project director of AFC’s Project LIT, emphasized the community coordinators.  “Rather than waiting for a student to be absent a week, two weeks, and then you’re looking at a really big problem, it’s proactively reaching out to parents to find out what’s going on: is this a busing issue? Is this a commuting issue? Is this a special education issue, a child care issue?” Watch video