Charleston County School District (CCSD) staff are constantly trying to engage the community and provide support for students and their families, inside and outside the school walls. On January 28, 2023, CCSD’s Department of School Support (DoSS), in collaboration with the district’s McKinney-Vento Title One Office, Office of Family and Community Engagement, and Department of Student Services, partnered with Boykin Real Estate to host the first Focus on Families Expo at Cooper River Center for Advanced Studies.
“DoSS exists to assist schools and families in overcoming obstacles that inhibit their scholars from entering school prepared and excited about learning,” explained Dr. Shavonna Coakley, CCSD’s Director of School Support. “To do this, we must build stronger communities and family relationships that will outlast difficult times. Saturday was a true success and DoSS believes what was done on this day can become a reality across our district as we continue to build generational success within our CCSD communities.”
More than 100 people attended the free event, which was focused on housing and education. In addition, nearly 40 volunteers from 22 local organizations and non-profit groups provided information on financial planning, home stabilization, money management, and landlord-tenant laws. District staff members and volunteers also helped a few families secure financial assistance on-site.
“Cross-system collaboration has become far more common with the increased needs of homeless families and decreased availability of resources,” added CCSD’s Title 1 Programs Compliance Administrator Sonya Jones. Developing good working relationships with programs like the Department of School Support increases the likelihood that homeless children, youth, and families will be identified and assisted in obtaining essential services.”
The district’s departments involved in this Focus on Families Expo are now planning a future community event.
For more information, contact CCSD’s Office of Communications at (843) 937-6303. Additional contacts include Talecia Drayton at (843) 746-2283, Abria Pryor at (843) 308-1987, and Kimberly Grant at (843) 619-3652.
