Migrant Education Program

migrant workers

Program Overview

The Migrant Education Program is a federally funded program that serves migratory children ages 3 through 21 and their families. Supplementary migrant services include:

  • identification and recruitment
  • advocacy
  • health & social services
  • academic support
  • parental involvement
  • family literacy

Services are provided to eligible students based on the availability of funds, priority for services, and need. The Migrant Education Program employs highly qualified and trained teachers, advocates, migrant support services aides/recruiters, and social workers.

The Migrant Education Services Center is located in Plant City, Florida, and serves migrant students and families in Hillsborough County Public Schools. The Center also serves as the distribution site for the Florida Portable Assisted Study Sequence (PASS) Program in the State of Florida.

Identification and Recruitment (ID & R)

The identification and recruitment of migrant families is accomplished through the proper and timely identification and recruitment of eligible students and the completion of a Certificate of Eligibility.

The definition of a migratory child is:

  • The child is younger than 22 and has not graduated from high school or does not hold a high school equivalency certificate; and
  • The child is a migrant agricultural worker or a migrant fisher or has a parent, spouse, or guardian who is a migrant agricultural worker or a migrant fisher; and
  • The child has moved within the preceding 36 months in order to obtain (or seek) or to accompany (or join) a parent, spouse, or guardian to obtain (or seek), temporary or seasonal employment in a qualifying agricultural or fishing work; and
  • Such employment is a principal means of livelihood; and
  • The child: Has moved from one school district to another; or
  • In a State that is comprised of a single school district, has moved from one administrative area to another within such district.

The provision of services is at a sufficient level of quality and intensity to give a reasonable promise of meeting the needs of the children being served.

The services are provided by highly qualified and trained teachers, advocates, migrant support services aides/recruiters, and social workers.

Health & Social

The Migrant Education Program:

  • Promotes the well-being of migrant children.
  • Identifies students with health and/or dental needs to facilitate referrals and services to health and dental providers.
  • Provides social services such as assistance in securing housing, food, and/or clothing for migrant families.

Advocacy

Migrant Advocates provide information, guidance and support to migrant students and their families to facilitate their academic success.

Advocates establish collaborative partnerships with teachers, counselors, administrators, special program staff, parents and community agencies to ensure that migrant students attend school and have access to appropriate programs and resources.