Families In Transition
As one of the largest school districts in the state, FWCS Families in Transition Program provides services to students in pre-K through 12th grade who are experiencing homelessness. Through this program, students are referred to the Families in Transition Coordinator, who helps account for the number of homeless students and ensures that homeless students receive the critical support/resources needed for academic success by eliminating barriers that would prevent homeless students from attending school.
Contact Us
Christian Perez-Mora
Families in Transition Coordinator
IDOE State Coordinators
Charie Gibson
DOE Homeless Education Specialist
Call (317) 232-0957
Family Resources
Please fill out the Families in Transition
Intake formto learn more about what services you or your child may be eligible to receive under the McKinney-Vento Act.
McKinney-Vento Act
After receiving reports that up to 50% of homeless children were not attending school, Congress established the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. President Ronald Regan signed it into law on July 22, 1987. The McKinney-Vento Act was created with the goal of ensuring the enrollment, attendance, and success of homeless children and youth in school. It provides states with funding to help remove barriers to education.
Who is Homeless?
Children who lack a fixed, regular and adequate night time residence. This includes those who are:
- "Double up" - Sharing the housing of others due to the loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reasons.
- Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, camping grounds, due to lack of adequate alternative accommodations.
- Living in emergency or transitional shelters.
- Living in a public or private place not designed for humans to live.
- Migratory children living in above circumstances
- Awaiting foster care placement
- Living in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings
- Unaccompanied Youth - Children or youth who meets the definition of homeless and not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian
How To Help
FWCS has served over 1,000 homeless students each year by providing wrap-around services and access to outside resources to help remove student education barriers. These are students who are struggling as they lack basic necessities, such as clothing/shoes, personal hygiene products, and school supplies. Without the continued support and donations from the Fort Wayne community, meeting each of our student’s need would not be possible.
We Accept Donations
Financial donations received by FWCS for the Homeless Assistance Program will be used to purchase clothes, shoes, coats, toiletries and other items as needed for students in need. Monetary Contributions Can Also Help Fund
- Cap/Gowns
- After School/Summer Camp Programs
- College Tours
- Laptops for Unaccompanied Youth Seniors Entering College
Donate In Person or by Mail
The Wendy Y. Robinson Family & Community Engagement Center (FACE)
Families in Transition Program
230 E Douglas Ave, Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Clothing & Hygiene Product Requests
- Shirts
- Sweatshirts
- Pants
- Shoes
- Undergarments
- Socks
- Coats
- Hats
- Gloves
- Combs/Brushes
- Hair Ties
School Supply Requests
- Book Bags
- Folders
- Notepads
- Pencils
- Pens
- Erasers
- Colored Pencils
- Crayons
- Glue Sticks
- Calculators