Category Archives: Wraparound services

Incentive-based RAK room unveiled at Revere MS

Students at Revere Middle School are returning to an exciting new campus addition in the 2022-2023 school year. In collaboration with Houston Random Acts of Kindness, HISD Wraparound Services unveiled the district’s first RAK Room. 

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HISD trustees approve new internship program supporting wraparound specialists

During its regularly scheduled monthly meeting, the HISD Board of Education approved several agenda items including an agreement with the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) to support wraparound specialists.

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HERC study spotlights struggles many HISD families face

A large number of students enrolled in the Houston Independent School District need help with basic needs such as food, clothing, health care and school supplies, according to a new research brief from Rice University’s Houston Education Research Consortium.

The study reveals that a substantial number of Houston-area school children reported sometimes not having enough to eat at home and going without medical care when they are sick. Meanwhile, a large proportion of HISD families struggle to provide children with clothing and school supplies.

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Report: Miles Ahead Scholars program shows overwhelming promise for student achievement

Less than a year ago, 60 ninth- and 10th-grade boys walked across Worthing High School’s cafeteria stage, signifying their acceptance into the inaugural class of HISD’s Miles Ahead Scholars (MAS) program.

Now, just 10 months after that moving induction ceremony, a new evaluation conducted by the district’s Research and Accountability Department showcases the positive academic and socioemotional impacts the program has had on its first cohort. The full report can be found here.

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Fresh Bus produce delivery program announcing new stops

The Fresh Bus produce delivery program is announcing new community stops to better serve students and families.

The new stops will be located at apartment complexes that surround the 68 participating schools and have high student populations. Families can go direct to their closest pick-up site. No survey or registration is required.

All students enrolled at the 68 participating schools are eligible. A complete list of schools is available at HoustonISD.org/FreshBus.

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Applications available for Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer assistance

HISD families can now complete the applications necessary to receive Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT), a one-time benefit for families who lost access to free or reduced-price meals due to school closures.

The application is available online at yourtexasbenefits.com/Learn/PEBT and will be open until June 30.

The $1 billion benefit program was approved by the United States Department of Agriculture to help eligible families buy food during the COVID-19 pandemic. The one-time benefit of up to $285 will be issued on an EBT card, which can be used like a debit card to assist families in buying food from any retailer that accepts the Texas Lone Star Card.

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HISD launches ‘Let’s Stay Connected’ mental health hotline for students and parents

The Houston Independent School District has announced the launch of Let’s Stay Connected, a mental health hotline for students and parents to provide emotional, social, and psychological support to students and parents who feel the need for assistance.

Students and parents may call the Let’s Stay Connected Hotline at 713-556-1340 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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New food distribution sites identified for Saturday and week of May 11

Food distribution efforts led by the Houston Independent School District in partnership with the Houston Food Bank will continue Saturday at NRG Stadium and throughout next week at 25 campuses around the district.

Saturday’s event at NRG is the fourth mass community food distribution. The site is expected to distribute 8,500 food packages.  The site will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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New food distribution sites identified for Saturday and week of May 4

Food distribution efforts led by the Houston Independent School District in partnership with the Houston Food Bank will continue this Saturday at NRG Stadium and throughout next week at 25 campus sites throughout the district.

The Saturday event at NRG is the third mass community food distribution.  The site is expected to distribute 10,000 food packages — each weighing 80 to 100 pounds — in about five hours. To accommodate the increase, the site will open from 2 to 7 p.m.

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New food distribution sites announced for week of April 20

The Houston Independent School District is extending its food distribution program through the week of April 20 and announcing 25 new food distribution sites throughout the district.

Nutrition Services staff will continue to pack food bags at the Hexser T. Holliday Food Services Support Facility and deliver them to the distribution sites. Each site can distribute up to 500 bags — or 15,000 pounds of food — per day.

HISD, Houston Food Bank partner for massive community food distribution effort at NRG on Saturday

As families arrive at sites, nutrition staff minimize contact by filling out the required Emergency Food Assistance Program forms for families and placing food in the trunks of their vehicles. Participants who walk to the sites also must adhere to social distancing requirements.

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