Q&A
Overview of the Military Family Advocate program in public schools
0:54:33
·
116 sec
Council Member Linda Lee inquires about the Military Family Advocate program in public schools. Dr. Lauren D'Mello explains the program's implementation and expansion.
- The program started as a pilot in Staten Island with 55 schools opting in
- It has now expanded to all districts, with schools voluntarily participating
- Military Family Advocates can be existing staff members such as parent advocates, guidance counselors, or assistant principals
- The program aims to have one military family liaison in every participating school
Linda Lee
0:54:33
Okay.
0:54:34
And then so going back, actually, because I was I was excited to hear more about this program, the military family advocate program.
0:54:41
So this is in public schools.
0:54:43
And so can you just go a little bit more into Is it mostly high schools, elementary schools, how many total?
0:54:48
I think it's 55 public schools now.
James Hendon
0:54:50
I'm gonna defer to Doctor.
0:54:52
Melo, and that's just one district.
0:54:53
And I know we're in 3 districts right now, but I'll defer to Doctor.
0:54:57
De Melo on this.
Linda Lee
0:54:58
Okay.
0:54:58
And just also if you could speak to how that's been working with DOE?
Lauren D'Mello
0:55:02
Sure.
0:55:02
So we partnered with DOE last year to pilot the military family advocate program.
0:55:07
That program aims to implement 1 liaison military family liaison in every school.
0:55:12
Last year we followed strictly with Staten Island, and the schools have a voluntary they they can opt in voluntarily.
0:55:19
So 55 schools opted in, and we were able to outreach 242 military families.
0:55:24
This year, we have extended our program to all districts, all schools.
0:55:28
We're still in the process of onboarding.
0:55:31
We have onboarded 4 districts, and slowly, principals are voluntarily acting into the program.
0:55:37
So there's not a final number for this year as we're still opting in schools.
Linda Lee
0:55:40
Okay.
0:55:41
And who are the advocates that are being placed in the schools?
0:55:46
Is it sort of do they get training?
0:55:48
Are they folks with lived experience?
0:55:50
If you could speak to that a little Yeah.
Lauren D'Mello
0:55:52
So the military family advocate can vary from schools.
0:55:55
These are already staff members.
0:55:57
They can vary from being parent advocates, guidance counselors, assistant principals, it's really dependent on who the principal sees best to build this role.
Linda Lee
0:56:08
Okay.
0:56:09
Got it.
0:56:09
So it could be already current staff members within the schools as well.
0:56:12
Okay.
0:56:13
And, hopefully, they're the trained to handle a lot of the delicate situations that
Kristy Marmorato
0:56:18
Yeah.
Lauren D'Mello
0:56:18
Majority of the roles they have.
0:56:21
They have relationships with the community, with the school staff.
0:56:25
So they're really well positioned to serve in as a military family advocate.
