Morgan Hill Unified School District Care Team (l to r) Jennifer Baez, Counselor at Jackson Academy and Live Oak; Aaron Duron, Counselor
at Sobrato and Martin Murphy; Evelyn Alvarez, CARE Mobile Team; Andrea Bird, Lead Counselor; Jaclyn Snyder, CARE Mobile Team; and
Linda Perez, Counselor at Britton and Live Oak.
CARE: An Innovative Outreach Program
Written By Andrea Bird, Morgan Hill Unified School District
T
he Coordinated Advocacy and Resources for Education
(CARE) program was established by Morgan Hill Unified
School District (MHUSD) a result of data-driven research
conducted by the District to the needs of students, grades 6-12, who
fall under the criteria of homeless, foster and socio- economically
disadvantaged youth. In MHUSD there are over 300 known
homeless youth, and more than 1,000 who are socio-economically
disadvantaged.
Established in August 2016, the CARE team’s mission is to imple-
ment a sustainable outreach program aimed at removing obstacles
to student achievement. These obstacles include insufficient access
to food, clothing, basic hygiene and health services; transportation
to and from school; and academic support beyond the classroom.
Everyday things that most of us take for granted, are beyond the
reach of many of Morgan Hill’s student families.
The CARE team includes three counselors, each assigned to two
of the District’s participating schools (Britton, Jackson Academy,
Live Oak, Martin Murphy and Sobrato). The Team’s work includes
looking into attendance concerns, conducting home visits, and
developing personal relationships with student families, seeking
to remove obstacles to academic success. The CARE program also
employs a classified “Mobile team” of two who move throughout
the District in support of site-based counselors.
Our research shows that many student families are either
unaware of services, or they become discouraged when the pro-
cess to access those services is confusing, time-consuming, dif-
ficult to navigate. Our research also shows that transportation is a
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major hurdle for homeless and socio-economically disadvantaged
youth. On referrals from site counselors and others, the Mobile
team connects with families to ensure students are benefitting
from free busing and free lunch for which they are eligible. Just by
removing the transportation obstacle, we have enabled improved
student attendance, engagement and academic performance.
Acting on site counselor referrals, our Mobile team travels
to local food pantries and “clothes closets,” providing student
families with much-needed food, clothing, blankets and toiletries.
Often they are able to respond within hours. Food staples are
usually delivered to school sites for pick up, though a home
delivery can be arranged. Food on the table, and warm, clean
clothing truly make a difference.
A key aspect of the CARE program is the establishment of
tutoring centers at locations throughout the District. This Fall
we launched two tutoring centers at local RV parks. Tutoring is
provided by students from Sobrato and Live Oak high schools.
Students helping students represents a non-threatening approach
to academic team building. At the same time, tutors model
educationally -valuable skills—focus, perseverance, stamina, and
collaborative learning—which are vital to success in the 21 st
century, from campus to career.
The CARE team is privileged and delighted to serve Morgan
Hill students. Every day is an adventure with unique situations
that require unique, individualized solutions. We will continue
evolving our program to support student families in need so their
students can thrive in school.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017
gmhtoday.com