On a hot, rainy afternoon at the Immokalee Farmer’s Market, staff from the Migrant Education Program at Collier County Public Schools (CCPS) connected with one of its CCPS families. Alejandra Lara, a migrant parent, was working alongside her daughter at one of the produce stands. With the rain, there was no work in the fields that day.

Lara spent a few moments with me to share her story in an attempt to bring light to a special program available to migrant families. While she would normally be in North Carolina this time of year, COVID-19 affected her plans. She returned to Immokalee to ensure her children were able to start school and her family was able to receive the supports they needed to make it through these challenging times.

Migrant Programs provide funds to school districts to assist migrant children in schools with significant populations of migrant youngsters. Funds are used to provide advocacy and outreach activities. This includes informing children and families of the services available and helping such children and families gain access to the following:

• Education
• Health, nutrition, and social services
• Professional development programs
• Family literacy programs

• Integration of information technology into educational and related programs
• Programs to facilitate the transition of secondary school students to post-secondary education or employment
Many of the staff members who work for CCPS in the Migrant Education Program grew up in migrant families themselves, including specialist Juan Medina. “We get it because we’ve been through there, we’ve walked through that path.” The staff is made up of caring and compassionate people. They take pride in what they do, being able to help families and ensure a path to success for students.

Lara’s daughter, Alondra, is an example of the success that can be achieved. Now a senior at Immokalee High School, Alondra is considering a major in Business at the University of Florida.
Do you qualify? The CCPS Migrant Education Program provides services for all migrant students ages 3-21 that have not yet graduated. If you and/or your children have moved at any time in the last three years to seek work in agriculture, packing, fishing, dairy, livestock, or forestry, you may be eligible to receive free educational or support services. To determine if your child qualifies, please call the Migrant Education Program at 239-377-0560 Monday through Friday from 7:00am to 4:00pm or visit their office at 616 S Sixth Street in Immokalee.