In October, Dr. Jack Cagle, Montgomery County Schools’ homeless liaison, hosted the NCHEP Sandhills Regional Compliance Forum at the James Reece Blair CTE Building in Troy, NC. During the compliance forum, homeless liaisons in attendance were treated to an array of delicious snacks and lunch graciously prepared by Mr. Cortes’s culinary arts students.
Neely Ward, NCHEP Program Coordinator, had the opportunity to return to Montgomery County Schools to thank these students in person for sharing their culinary skills with the Sandhills homeless liaisons. Superintendent Dr. Karen Rosenboro joined Mrs. Ward in a lively conversation with the students. The students shared why they chose the culinary class, the skills they had learned thus far, and how they planned to use these skills in the future.
Thank you to Montgomery County Schools for your hospitality!
The National Association of the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY) Conference allows education professionals from across the country to come together to expand their knowledge and share best practices on serving vulnerable children and youth. This year, the NAEHCY Conference was held in Dallas, Texas, and focused on community, collaboration, and the power of partnerships.
In typical fashion, North Carolina had a wonderful turnout of educators ready to learn as well as professionals willing to share their wisdom with others. There was a total of seven breakout sessions facilitated by North Carolina representatives, which included 16 presenters. These sessions covered a variety of topics, including collecting and utilizing data, summer programs for students experiencing homelessness, supporting students in foster care, and even disaster impact and preparations presented by homeless liaisons in counties that were directly affected by Hurricane Helene. North Carolina has so many professionals who do amazing work with their homeless education programs. We are thrilled that a few of these were highlighted at the NAEHCY Conference!
Annually, the North Carolina Homeless Education Program (NCHEP) holds Compliance Forums for homeless liaisons across the state. Compliance Forums allow for homeless liaisons to expand their knowledge on the McKinney-Vento Act, foster relationships with neighboring homeless liaisons, and develop practices to best support the needs of their students experiencing homelessness.
This year, NCHEP had the pleasure of holding one of its Compliance Forums at North East Carolina Preparatory School in Tarboro, NC. North East Carolina Preparatory School is one of two schools in North Carolina to have agriculture programs for their K-12 students. They currently have a miniature donkey named Pancake, goats, sheep, and mini highland cows. Their students are able to work directly with the animals, learning how to feed and care for them and about the role of farm animals in agricultural businesses.
Our homeless liaisons were able to enjoy a break from our meeting to take a tour of the school’s barn and interact with the farm animals. It was a great day of learning, but also a wonderful opportunity to see firsthand the unique ways this charter school engages their students in hands-on learning.
Strengthening Workmanship, Advancing Tenacity Through Empowerment and Mentorship
The NCHEP Mentoring Program—better known as the SWAT TEAM—is a strategic support initiative designed to assist newly hired homeless liaisons as they navigate their roles within North Carolina’s school districts.
Through this program, we aim to:
Strengthen collaborative connections across Local Education Agencies (LEAs)
Enhance the effectiveness and impact of homeless education programs
Build a statewide network of experienced professionals committed to excellence in service
Foster professional growth through mentorship, guidance, and shared resources
How the Mentoring Program Works
The SWAT TEAM model offers a one-to-one mentoring relationship that includes:
Ongoing interactions between mentors and mentees
Monthly virtual mentor-mentee check-in
Role modeling and shared learning experiences
Tailored strategies that address specific needs
Whether you’re a new liaison seeking guidance or a veteran leader looking to give back, the NCHEP Mentoring Program provides a meaningful opportunity to connect, learn, and grow.
Recruiting Opportunities
We are currently accepting both mentors and mentees to join the SWAT TEAM!
Become a Mentee
Are you new to your role as a homeless liaison? Don’t go through it alone. Get connected with an experienced mentor who will support you every step of the way.
✅ Gain confidence in your role ✅ Learn best practices from seasoned professionals ✅ Build your support network
Are you an experienced liaison passionate about supporting others? Share your knowledge and make a difference in the professional journey of a new colleague.
✅ Give back to the liaison community ✅ Strengthen statewide collaboration ✅ Enhance your leadership and coaching skills
