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A Santa Rosa County School District program that holistically addresses the issues behind why homeless students struggle in school and helps families get into stable housing has become so successful that it s being duplicated in at least five other counties across the state.
The issue is a cycle, according to Patti McKnight, the district s federal programs director. If students are homeless or at risk of homelessness, they often face other issues being tired or hungry in classes or lacking transportation, for example that can lead to grades slipping or acting out.
The school district s program, called Tenant-Based Rental Assistance, was launched in 2017 in partnership with the Florida Housing Finance Corp. and Opening Doors of Northwest Florida.