Supporting Migrant Students Where They Are: VBISD’s Comprehensive Migrant Program
At Van Buren Intermediate School District (VBISD), we are committed to ensuring educational equity for every child. Through our Migrant Education Program (Title I, Part C), we offer a wide range of services designed to support migratory children and youth—many of whom face interrupted schooling, high mobility, and limited access to consistent instruction.
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Spotlight on HOME Services
One of the most impactful components of the Migrant Education Program is our HOME services program. These are supplemental educational supports provided directly to migratory children and their families outside the traditional classroom setting—often in homes, migrant camps, or community spaces.
Delivered by certified teachers, trained paraprofessionals, or tutors, HOME services are designed to:
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Reinforce core skills in reading, writing, and mathematics
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Support school readiness for preschool-aged children
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Provide academic continuity for out-of-school youth (OSY)
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Offer targeted assistance for Priority for Services (PFS) students who are at the highest risk of falling behind
At VBISD, our home educators bring engaging workbooks, educational materials, and interactive games to connect with students and support their academic growth. These hands-on activities foster a fun, encouraging environment where learning unfolds naturally and meaningfully.
Our dedicated staff also work closely with parents, sharing strategies and resources to promote learning at home—empowering families to become partners in their children’s education.
Limited and Referred Services: Holistic Family Support
When a family is identified as eligible for Migrant Education services, our liaisons step in to provide comprehensive support. This starts with gathering essential family information and connecting them with critical resources such as healthcare, housing, and employment assistance. Ongoing support may include language interpretation, transportation coordination, and cultural guidance to help families navigate their new environments.
Our liaisons maintain regular communication with families to inform them about upcoming events and services in their school districts and surrounding communities in Van Buren, Berrien, and Cass counties. They also offer informational tables at local events, enhancing awareness of community opportunities and resources.
For families facing immediate needs, our staff conduct in-person visits to migrant camps, assessing for necessities like health care, food, clothing, legal assistance, and child care. Each family receives a resource guide from the Migrant Resource Council (MRC), which connects them to local support providers.
Instructional Services: Academic Support for All
VBISD provides supplemental academic instruction to migrant students in grades PS–12. In areas with a high concentration of migrant students, such as Bloomingdale, we place certified migrant education teachers to deliver targeted instruction.
For preschool-aged students who aren’t enrolled in formal programs, VBISD expanded home-based instruction during the 2024–2025 school year, ensuring that early literacy and language development reaches them right where they are.
Support Services: Reducing Barriers to Learning
In addition to academic supports, VBISD offers essential support services that remove barriers to success for migratory students. These services may include:
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Transportation to health screenings, medical, dental, and vision appointments
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Provision of school supplies, clothing, or hygiene items to meet basic needs
By addressing these challenges, our Migrant Education Program helps ensure that migratory students are not just present in the classroom, but are also ready and able to learn.
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
The photo below captures a recent HOME service session, where our dedicated staff worked with a group of elementary students using song sheets, manipulatives, and engaging activities to build foundational skills.
This is just one example of the many ways VBISD’s Migrant Education Program brings personalized learning and family support to students across our region.
For more information about VBISD’s Migrant Services, or to learn how you can support our efforts, please contact us at 269-539-5040.
