Caption: PSRC McKinney-Vento Liaison Shaneitha Nance, left, stands recently during a check presentation by Tomeika Munn, Lumber River United Way Director of Community Impact, far right. The donation from LRUW supports the McKinney-Vento Program that serves students facing homelessness and housing insecurity. Also pictured are Derick Buggs, Program Specialist for the North Carolina Homeless Education Program, NCDPI District and School Support Services, and Danelle Locklear, Mental Health coordinator for Hoke County Public Schools.
LUMBERTON — Community partnerships across Robeson County are essential as the Public Schools of Robeson County works to identify and serve homeless students in the school district through the McKinney-Vento Program.
The McKinney-Vento Act is a federal law that supports the enrollment and education of children experiencing homelessness. The law is intended to provide homeless students the same educational opportunities as housed students by removing as many barriers to learning for homeless students as possible. The act aims to prevent challenges that can lead to lower grades, chronic absenteeism, and dropping out of school.
PSRC’s McKinney-Vento Liaison Shaneitha Nance works to support students facing housing insecurity through the McKinney-Vento Program. In Robeson County, the number of homeless students has been increasing, with 390 students identified for the 2023-2024 school year. Across the state, there were 37,197 students identified as homeless this past school year.
“Mrs. Nance is an invaluable member of our team, demonstrating a deep passion for our McKinney-Vento students. Her unwavering commitment has not gone unnoticed, and the students and families of PSRC are in good hands with Nance on the job,” said Philip Oxendine, PSRC’s Director of Federal Programs.
Nance has been hard at work serving on various committees and working with several agencies to provide students with needed supplies and even transitional housing. Student support is made possible through community agencies that help Nance coordinate services for families.
Nance serves on the State Leadership Team with the NC Homeless Education Program and its State Mentoring Team, the NC Balance of State Continuum of Care Committee, Robeson Overcoming Adversity through Resilience, Career Empowerment Council, School Health Advisory Committee, PSRC District Mental Health and District Crisis teams, Caring Across Robeson Education Council, Sandhills Regional Network (SRN) Mental Health and Robeson County Arts Council Board.
Program receives clean audit report, commendation for collaboration
In fact, the hard work of Nance and community partners was recently noted in a clean audit report the PSRC McKinney-Vento Program received from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. The audit showed that the program was in comprehensive compliance with the McKinney-Vento Act. In addition, the audit also found that the program demonstrates strong community outreach and collaboration with agencies to meet the needs of homeless students.
“Ms. Nance is diligent in her work with the district's homeless education program and she ensures that the identification and enrollment of a student experiencing homelessness is in alignment with the law and that all students receive the appropriate resources needed for their academic success,” said Lisa Phillips, State Director for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth at NCDPI.
“Ms. Nance works closely with the NCHEP to ensure compliance with the PSRC. As a member of the NCHEP Leadership Team, Ms. Nance also demonstrates exceptional qualities as a leader in the field and is one who is always striving for a quality education for our most vulnerable population of students,” Phillips added.
According to audit results, the PSRC McKinney-Vento Program has shown commendable efforts in addressing various indicators related to the identification, enrollment, retention, and support of homeless children and youth. This includes establishing effective procedures for identifying homeless students, ensuring immediate enrollment, and supporting their retention in school.
“The audit results were achievable thanks to the teamwork of school social workers and community partners in assisting homeless children,” Nance said.
“It truly takes a village to address the needs of our students and help eliminate barriers to learning. It is imperative that we provide support using the whole child approach that ensures our students’ needs are addressed and they can focus on learning in the classroom,” she added.
Jennifer Freeman, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, Intervention and Support, also released a statement about the audit results and Nance’s work.
“Ms. Nance is an amazing leader. She works tirelessly to accomplish the vision, mission and goals of the McKinney-Vento Program. I am honored to have her as a member of the Department of Student Services,” Freeman said.
Partnerships, dedication make the difference
Some partnerships the PSRC McKinney-Vento Program enjoys include the Lumbee Tribe of NC, Lumber River United Way, Robeson County Church and Community Center, Southeastern Family Violence Center, Lumberton Christian Care Center, Robeson County Partnership for Children, Suds of Love, Victim Empowerment and Education Program, various churches and other organizations.
The dedication of social workers also plays a vital role in providing services for families, Nance said.
An after-hours program has been implemented by the PSRC McKinney-Vento Program that allows PSRC social workers to provide case management services to McKinney-Vento families for up to four hours a week, Nance said.
“It is evident that our partners and staff members truly have a heart for the work, which drives our ability to provide services to these families and leaves a lasting impact on their lives and the communities in which they live,” she added.
Nance’s work, community partnerships featured in documentaries about homelessness
The work of the PSRC McKinney-Vento Program, Nance and community partners have been featured in two Homeless Education documentary videos by Diane Nilan, president of HEAR US Inc., which is committed to giving visibility to the challenges of homelessness in various communities.
“Homeless Liaisons Navigate Challenges in North Carolina” highlights how liaisons including Nance work to identify students and families and provide them with services while “Caring Schools Make the Difference” offers a look into the challenges of homelessness in North Carolina and how agencies come together to assist those in need.
Nilan said the work to support homeless students and families, which is happening through partnerships among various agencies in Robeson County, is a “great example for others.”
“It does my heart good to see the amount of compassion and dedication that goes into helping families when they lose their housing,” Nilan said.
In “Caring Schools Make the Difference,” Nilan highlights a situation where the Lumbee Tribe provided housing for a family. Thanks to that assistance, a PSRC student could remain in his school with his friends and avoid moving.
“It just seems like there is a huge network of compassionate people in Robeson County,” Nilan said.
Looking ahead
Nance has big goals for the future of the McKinney-Vento Program and its services to PSRC students facing homelessness.
One goal is to put a summer camp in place for homeless students, she said.
“My ultimate goal would be to have a family shelter where families could stay together and not have to leave the shelter during the day,” Nance said. “I would love to have this in place before I retire.”
Anyone interested in partnering with the PSRC McKinney-Vento Program to help serve students facing housing insecurity can contact Nance at shaneitha.lee@robeson.k12.nc.us or by calling 910-671-600 Ext. 3331.
Nance
PSRC McKinney-Vento Liaison Shaneitha Nance, middle, stands with Matt Roller, Assistant Legal and Compliance Officer with the Lumbee Tribe, left, and Bradley Locklear, Director of Housing Services at the Lumbee Tribe, when the group presented at NCDPI’s 2023 NC Homeless Education Program McKinney-Vento Learning Institute about housing opportunities available through the Lumbee Tribe.
Lumberton Walmart Supercenter Store Manager John Hendren, right, gives a thumbs up to a Walmart employee as employees worked in January 2023 to move pallets of donated items for use by homeless youth within the Public Schools of Robeson County.