The Rapides Parish McKinney Project for Homeless Children and Youth focuses on educating both the urban and the rural homeless populations. During the school year, residents of the three local shelters receive after-school assistance from two certified teachers, four days a week. The liaison for homeless serves as the children's advocate, striving to remove all barriers that would hinder immediate school enrollment. Clothing, school supplies and fees, transportation, and access to free meals are provided. An outreach component for children and youth in the rural areas provides contributions with the assistance of the community for many needs.
Parental participation is woven into many of the children's activities.
The program is based on the philosophy that education is the key to overcome and prevent the cycle of homelessness in families. Program activities whether they are to provide enrichment fieldtrips, school supplies, counseling, or tutorial services are based on educational principles. The homeless liaison identifies and facilitates the enrollment and attendance of homeless students. The Caddo Parish School System, located in Shreveport, LA, in collaboration with Centerpoint, and three area shelters have joined forces to develop and implement a program that targets enhancing the educational needs of homeless children and their families as well as those at-risk of becoming homeless. The project allows the system to network school and community resources to enhance educational opportunities for the homeless.