Breaking Barriers: Practical Strategies for Engaging Families of Students in Temporary Housing

For families experiencing temporary housing, schools can be either a source of significant stress or a place of stability and support. Moving beyond compliance with the McKinney-Vento Act, this session examines the relational practices needed to build authentic, trust-based partnerships with families in temporary housing. Participants will reflect on common challenges and expand their approaches to family engagement through practical, research-informed strategies.

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Identify key provisions of the McKinney-Vento Act related to the rights of parents and guardians

• Distinguish between family engagement and family involvement

• Apply strategies to build trust and foster a sense of belonging within the school community

• Analyze common barriers to partnership and select aligned engagement strategies