Having worked at Ector County ISD’s Community Outreach Center for decades, newly minted Director of Student Support Services Letty Bernal felt ready to take over the program.
Scott Randolph had held the position for many years previously.
“We had been here so long together. We’ve just been here from the beginning, and it just evolved after all these years, so, yeah, I felt I was ready,” Bernal said.
She added that 690 families have come in since July 8 and 1,120 students that they have identified as homeless under federal law, McKinney-Vento. That’s about 100 more than last year.
“It’s basically families that are living in a temporary living situation, whether it’s doubled up, which I would say 80% of our families are doubled up in an RV, in a motel, and that’s when they pay themselves. It’s not like their company’s paying for it. Then we do have unaccompanied youth; those are students that are not living with their parent,” Bernal said.
There are approximately 12 unaccompanied youth. Reasons for not living with their parents vary. They could be kicked out, pushed out, there was a disagreement, there was drugs and alcohol in the home or the kids just don’t want to stay, Bernal said.
They usually stay with friends, which is referred to as “couch surfing,” she said. They are usually 14 or older.
“In the high schools, we really focus on them. You check on them and give them a little bit more attention just because they’re on their own, we want to make sure they have everything they need, and to guide them through graduation and make sure they complete,” Bernal added.
She said they try to find a friend or cousin where the kids will be safe. Bernal added that she’s sure there are some that don’t make it somewhere at night and have to stay on the streets.
“But we work hard to try to find a safer place for them to stay,” she said.
The Outreach Center also helps with school supplies, uniforms and food as they have a small pantry.
“We also are partnering with Souls for Soles. They donated 1,000 pair of shoes. They helped us last year with 500 in the spring, but because we had so many McKinney-Vento students, they upped it to 1,000, so we’ll get it in the fall, and we’ll get it in the spring — the same amount,” Bernal said.
The center can also refer people to different community resources.
They have a McKinney-Vento packet that includes a calendar to track students’ attendance and other information. Everything is in English and Spanish.
“We have a free parenting program. They can actually do it on the phone and they can do an hour here and an hour there. It’s evidence based to reduce behavioral and domestic violence. This is a referral sheet, so it’s categorized by counseling, disability, domestic violence, housing,” Bernal said.
It shows them where to go because there are always new people moving.
The Outreach Center also keeps track of attendance in ECISD, so when students are having trouble going to school, the parents will call the office and try to help parents with ideas.
“Sometimes we talk to the kids. We’re not campus-based here, so we handle all the schools,” Bernal said.
They also have campus-based social service specialists at the two high schools, middle schools and at the center.
Bernal’s goal is to reach out to more students.
“My goal is to reach more of the kids, to get them reengaged in school, to get them more involved so they’ll be successful and graduate. But it’s just more making connections to kids,” she added.
Bernal’s passion for kids is what got her into this field. Bernal has previously worked at agencies such as Adult Protective Services.
“I’m all about the kids, I always try to go above and beyond when they’re having issues. A lot of times we have to talk to the kids and try to find the core issue, why they’re not coming to school, why they left school; trying to figure out what’s going on and helping them remove those barriers,” she said.
She started to see the issues faced by students and it gave her more of a desire to help them.
“I feel like the kids are living in the present and not really thinking about the future,” so she’d like to get them thinking about college, Bernal said.
“There’s just so many opportunities for these kids, and it’s just connecting those kids to the opportunities,” she added.
Bernal earned a bachelor in business administration with a minor in marketing from Angelo State University. She started doing social work after college and was able to be tested and become a social worker.
She and her husband have been married for 38 years and they have two children and one grandchild.
Randolph has known and worked with Bernal on a daily basis for more than 27 years.
“She is tenacious and doesn’t like to hear ‘no’ when it comes to getting services for families in need. She is a tremendous asset to ECISD and our community,” he said.
Associate Superintendent of Student and School Support Alicia Syverson said Bernal’s many years as lead social worker in ECISD are a benefit.
“… Her time as Lead Social Worker gave her opportunities to really listen and learn about the needs of our families and create plans to remove any barriers that may be negatively impacting a student’s education. As the current director, Letty has already pursued several grants to fund additional truancy, and social work supports to serve our ECISD families. She is part of the Odessa community and prioritizes ways to serve ECISD families in the community in which she lives . ECISD is so fortunate to have Ms. Bernal as part of our Student and School Support team. We are so glad she continues to choose ECISD!” Syverson said.
