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Families in Need

Families in Need

Student Support Services

Intervention Services

Audiological Services

Crisis Management

Families in Need

MTSS

School Psychological Services

School Social Workers

What is the Families In Need (FIN) Program?

Families in Need.The Seminole County Public Schools (SCPS) homeless and foster care education program, Families in Need, authorized under Federal law through the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act and the Every Student Succeeds Act, provides services to ensure identified homeless children and youth as well as students in foster care have access to a free and appropriate public education by removing educational barriers due to homelessness, poverty and/or abuse.

Who Operates the SCPS FIN Program?

The FIN program is administered through Student Support Services (SSS). The FIN Program staff includes:

  • Assistant Superintendent Student Support Services, Amy Elwood

  • Intervention Services Director, Dr. Robert Vanderloop

  • FIN Homeless Liaisons, Jillian Orleman, MSW

  • FIN Homeless Liaisons, Kaitlyn Costas, MSW

In addition, each SCPS school has an assigned School Social Worker and a FIN advocate.

Who is considered homeless?

Under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act, a child or youth is considered homeless if he or she lacks a fixed, adequate, or regular nighttime residence.

  • Fixed - is a stationary and permanent building or structure

  • Regular - is a dependable place to stay and used on a regular basis

  • Adequate - meets the physical and psychological needs of the child or youth

What living situations qualify for the homeless education program?

Families and unaccompanied youth reporting homelessness should complete a SCPS Statement of Residency (available here) or at your student's school site. Children and youth living in the following circumstances are determined eligible:

  • Temporarily living in shelters, parks, vehicles, and other public places

  • Temporarily sharing housing due to a loss of housing or economic hardship

  • Pay by the day/week motel due to an inability to afford regular housing

  • Children of migrant workers whose residence is not fixed, regular or adequate

  • Unaccompanied youth who are not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian AND lack a fixed, adequate or regular nighttime residence 

Who is considered in foster care?

  • Under the Every Student Succeeds Act, a child or youth who has been removed from their home due to abuse, neglect or abandonment by the Department of Children and Families is considered in foster care.

What educational rights are guaranteed to homeless children, youth, and students in foster care?

The McKinney-Vento Act defines the educational rights of homeless children and youth and the responsibilities of the Seminole County Public Schools district. If determined eligible, under the McKinney-Vento Act, students have the following rights:

  • Equal access to the same free, appropriate public education as housed students

  • Attendance at either the zoned school for where they currently reside or the last school in which they were enrolled (school of origin) prior to becoming homeless or being placed in foster care.

  • Immediate enrollment in school, with a temporary waiver for the required documents, such as immunization records and proof of a physical

  • Free school breakfast and lunch, regardless of income

  • Transportation assistance to school of origin

FIN Liaisons provide the following services:

  • Determine FIN program eligibility and complete FIN Needs Assessment

  • Provide resources to eliminate educational barriers (school supplies, hygiene products, clothing/shoes, etc.)

  • Collaborate with other SCPS student support programs (tutoring, 21st-century community learning center programs, food services, etc.)

  • Refer to community agency partners based on FIN Needs Assessment

  • Educate parents and students on McKinney Vento Act educational rights

  • Provide case management to Unaccompanied Homeless Youth

  • For Local Community Resources, please refer to our SCPS Resource Guide for Families in Need (Spanish)

How can I apply?

Families who are living in a homeless situation can apply here:

SCPS Statement of Residency - English Form

How can I donate?

Donations to the FIN program can be made through The Foundation for Seminole County Public Schools. To donate, visit foundationscps.org/donate/

Find Families In Need on Facebook

Contact us:

Families in Need.400 East Lake Mary Blvd,
Sanford, FL 32773
Office 407.320.2025
Email: FIN@scps.us