Professional Development

Districts and schools can provide opportunities for professional development to strengthen access to educational stability for students experiencing homelessness. Federal law requires that homeless education liaisons ensure that schools and districts provide professional development for personnel. Homeless education liaisons may want to include personnel that have direct relationships with students and their families including:  

  • Guidance counselors;  
  • School resource officers;  
  • Secretaries; 
  • Teachers; 
  • Principals and assistant principals; 
  • Custodial staff; 
  • Bus drivers; and  
  • Nurses. 

A trauma responsive system can be helpful as educators support the whole child needs of students experiencing homelessness. For more information on trauma-informed practices and resources, access the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s Trauma-Informed Schools webpage. 

The Every Student Succeeds Act defines professional development as activities that are “sustained (not standalone, 1-day or short team workshops), intensive, collaborative job-embedded, data-driven and classroom focused.” For more information about professional development, access the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s Ohio Standards for Professional Development

There are state and national resources that can provide opportunities for professional development, often at no cost, to districts and schools.  

Ohio Resources 

National Resources 

Last Modified: 12/18/2023 11:04:19 AM