Fifteen school and agency representatives gathered on November 15, 2016 at the Parent and Community Engagement Center at B.M.C. Durfee High School to hear Nancy Lawson of Catholic Social Services (CSS) explain the rules and regulations for working with homeless families. CSS is the organization contracted by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development to assist homeless families with emergency shelter assistance. The complexity of regulations and procedures has resulted in considerable confusion for agency personnel who encounter families in the course of their work. The purpose of the Summit was to bring agency representatives together in one room in order to get clear answers as well as to discuss ideas for improving the flow of information. "We found the session to be very helpful," stated Fall River Schools' McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison Barbara Allard. "The next step is to put this information in an accessible written format for everyone at the agencies to use." For more information about the project, contact Barbara Allard at 508-675-8367.  

(Top row) Nancy Lawson of Catholic Social Services presents the basic rules for working with homeless families and individuals under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987 as Fall River Schools Title I Program Director Siobhan Ryan listens before United Neighbors of Fall River Executive Director Wendy Garf-Lipp responds, and HealthFirst Family Care Center Executive Director Julie Almond listens. (Row two, left) Lubelia Raposo of SER-Jobs poses a question while Michelle Dunse of the Fall River Schools, Marcia Picard of Partners for a Healthier Community and Jessica Rodrigues of Fall River Schools listen. (Row two, right) John Silva of the Women's Center makes another point as Kathleen Povar of the Fall River Housing Authority, Tracy Ibbotson of Saint Anne's Hospital, and Carol Medeiros of Head Start listen. (Row three) Nancy Lawson responds to questions and concerns. (Bottom row) Fall River Schools' Fall River Schools' McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison Barbara Allard Barbara Allard suggests the group put the information that they discussed in a written format, and Kathleen Povar agrees with the suggestion.