Support for the Homeless May Be Introduced at Two Manatee Schools

PALMETTO, Fla. — Turning Points, a nonprofit focused on preventing homelessness, is seeking approval to bring essential services directly to two schools in Manatee County. If the school board members approve the plan in their upcoming meeting, services will be available through Lincoln Memorial Middle School.

Kathleen Cramer, executive director of Turning Points, expressed hope that services will commence at the Lincoln Memorial Middle School Family Welcome Center in Palmetto. If approved, families will have access to rental assistance, utility payment support, and help applying for SNAP benefits and Medicaid.

This initiative is designed as an 18-month pilot program, targeting families of Lincoln Memorial Middle School and Palmetto Elementary students. It also extends to employees of the School District of Manatee County and students currently involved in the Project Heart Program.

“This program is more focused on supporting the parents to achieve family stability,” Cramer explained. “While many other programs have centered on food insecurity or the students themselves, we aim to work directly with the parents without interrupting the children’s education.”

Families can either schedule appointments directly or be referred by teachers who notice signs of struggle among students and their families. Turning Points estimates that around 2,000 students in the Manatee County area are currently homeless.

“When families lack stability, it affects children’s ability to concentrate and succeed academically,” Cramer noted. “By stabilizing the family and home circumstances, we can help children focus better on their studies.”

Following the pilot program, Turning Points aspires to extend its reach to four additional locations over the next decade, broadening its services to all students and families in need.

The school board is set to discuss and vote on this partnership during a meeting scheduled for Tuesday evening.