Supporting all HISD stakeholders in the midst of challenging times

As we navigate these unprecedented times together, the Houston Independent School District has made it a priority to support our students, families, and staff to ensure they receive the resources they need – working with local health agencies and community partners every step of the way.

I am very proud to report that through efforts coordinated this month with health care partner Next Level and our partnership with Kroger, HISD was able to ensure COVID-19 vaccines were distributed for over 1,000 of our employees who qualified. We understand there is much work ahead to ensure all our employees have the chance to be vaccinated, and we are working behind the scenes to secure those opportunities. We continue to advocate for the prioritization of vaccines for those in education, and we are exploring all available avenues with our community partners and local health officials to bring more vaccines to our employees and inform our HISD community of opportunities.

Please know there are options available locally to seek out vaccinations for those who meet the requirements. Here are some helpful links to find COVID-19 vaccination providers:

• City of Houston information on COVID-19 vaccines and appointment updates: https://houstonemergency.org/covid-19-vaccines/
• Texas Department of State Health Services COVID-19 Vaccination Hub Providers: https://dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/immunize/vaccine-hubs.aspx
• Interactive map of available COVID-19 vaccines: https://tdem.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=3700a84845c5470cb0dc3ddace5c376b

To assist with ongoing efforts to support public health and safety, all HISD campuses are now offering COVID-19 BinaxNOW Rapid Tests. The district received the resources to test campus-based staff, and a percentage of students whose parents have requested and permitted testing, through a statewide COVID-19 Rapid Testing program in conjunction with the Texas Education Agency and the Texas Division of Emergency Management.

As we move forward, it has become increasingly evident – especially in the midst of COVID-19 – how vital our Wraparound Services efforts have become to our HISD students and families. Wraparound Services provides diverse services, addressing critical issues such as mental health and physical needs, food insecurity, lack of stable housing, and many other challenges that can have adverse effects on a student’s ability to learn.

I am proud to share the launch of our Needs Map and Dashboard, an interactive tool to get families the support they need. The tool is a collaborative effort between the Houston Education Research Consortium (HERC), ProUnitas, and HISD Wraparound Services department. This online resource will go a long way in identifying the high-needs areas in our district and ensuring delivery of wraparound services to those students and families who need our support the most.

Please stay healthy and safe and we continue to navigate this pandemic. Together, we can defeat COVID-19.