KDE Staff Participate in TEAM SOAR State Summit on Homeless Outreach and Prevention
Zach Stumbo, McKinney-Vento state coordinator, and Jennifer White, educational consultant, attended the 2026 Team SOAR State Summit on Homeless Outreach and Prevention in Frankfort on behalf of the Education for Homeless Children and Youth program at the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE).
The statewide event brought together professionals from across Kentucky to strengthen collaboration and improve supports for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
During the summit, Stumbo presented “Homeless in Kentucky: What Stakeholders Need to Know,” providing outreach professionals with practical guidance on the educational rights and supports available to children and youth experiencing homelessness under the McKinney-Vento Act. The session focused on partnering with schools, connecting families to resources and improving outcomes through cross-agency collaboration.
The summit featured sessions on behavioral health, recovery supports, housing resources, peer support, overdose prevention and lived experiences of homelessness, highlighting the importance of coordinated services for vulnerable populations across the Commonwealth. Participation by KDE staff helped strengthen partnerships between education and community service providers working to support Kentucky’s children and youth experiencing homelessness.
 Local Homeless Liaison, Tiffany Reynolds, speaks at the opening of the HEART House in Bullitt County, August 2026. Photo by Zach Stumbo, Kentucky Department of Education
Bullitt County Opens HEART House to Support Students Experiencing Homelessness
Bullitt County Public Schools recently celebrated the grand opening of its new McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Resource Team (HEART) House, a dedicated facility designed to provide comprehensive support for students and families experiencing homelessness and housing instability.
Led by McKinney-Vento Coordinator Tiffany Reynolds and made possible through more than $181,000 in community donations and grants, the HEART House offers a welcoming, home-like environment where families can access resources and support services. No McKinney-Vento or Title I funds were used to create the facility. Instead, the project was fully supported through community generosity, partnerships, donations and grant funding.
The HEART House includes a living room for meeting with staff, a kitchen and dining area, a laundry room, and a learning space equipped with educational materials and technology. During the 2025-2026 school year, the HEART team served 474 students by helping remove barriers to success through transportation assistance, school enrollment support, food and basic needs resources, mental health referrals, and connections to housing and community services.
The HEART House stands as an inspiring example of how strong community partnerships can expand support for students experiencing homelessness. More information is available on the Bullitt County Schools website.
Paducah Schools Partnership Supports Students Experiencing Homelessness
When Heather Anderson, McKinney-Vento liaison for Paducah Public Schools, noticed students struggling with worn-out or inadequate footwear, she knew it was more than a clothing issue. For many students experiencing homelessness, appropriate shoes can impact attendance, participation, confidence and even employment opportunities.
Through a partnership with Soles4Souls, Paducah Public Schools has provided new shoes to students facing housing instability.
Anderson says the most immediate impact has been a boost in student confidence.
"When students receive a new pair of shoes they genuinely like, they stand a little taller and smile more," Anderson said. "They walk through the school doors differently."
One memorable example involved a family recovering from a house fire. While the shoes met a practical need, they also provided a sense of dignity and hope during a difficult time.
Anderson encouraged other Kentucky liaisons to explore similar partnerships. She hopes that other liaisons will not hesitate to apply for the program.
Liaisons planning to start this program locally, are recommended to plan ahead for storage and distribution, protect student privacy and to collect stories that demonstrate impact.
"Providing shoes is never just about shoes," Anderson said. "For many students, it sends a powerful message: You matter."
The partnership with Soles4Souls serves as a reminder that meeting basic needs is foundational to educational success and that community partnerships can play a vital role in removing barriers for students experiencing homelessness. For more information about the Soles4Soles program, liaisons are encouraged to reach out to Tiffany Turner, vice president of outreach for Soles4Souls.
Determining the Best Interest of a Student Experiencing Homelessness
When evaluating the placement of students experiencing homelessness, the liaison should, if possible, give preference to the opinion of the parent or unaccompanied student. Often this means preserving the school of origin for a student experiencing homelessness. For students experiencing homelessness, school stability can offer a reliable place where they can return day-after-day when other places may be changing.
However, there are times when the school of origin may not seem the most beneficial school placement for the student. Child-centered reasons must be at the heart of decisions to remove a student from their school of origin. The National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) released the brief “School Selection and Best Interest Determination: Strategies for Educators” in April of 2023.
The NCHE brief reviews relevant areas of the McKinney-Vento Act related to selecting schools and making placement decisions for students experiencing homelessness. Also included are discussion and reflection questions for staff facing a difficult decision. Lastly, a graphic organizer is included as a possible option to help shape thoughts surrounding the matter.
This brief and its included resources are not required for adoption, but several liaisons have found them helpful. Please consider reviewing the materials and making them part of your program if appropriate.
|
