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Harvey KIDS Education Fund

After making landfall in August 2017, Hurricane Harvey devastated the Texas Gulf Coast and impacted over 6 million Texans. According to the Texas Education Agency, the devastation caused by the hurricane is projected to have displaced over 42,000 K-12 students across district lines. To meet the urgent needs of these impacted Gulf Coast students, a cross-section of local, state and national leaders launched the Harvey KIDS Education Fund.

The fund was originally developed to support:

  • Immediate Relief Efforts: Short- to mid-term investments to address direct challenges related to the storm (e.g., damaged infrastructure (non-capital expenses), services for displaced students, mental health and instructional supports etc.
  • Longer Term, Rebuilding Efforts: including systemic investments such as school redesign, targeted social supports, human capital initiatives, etc. 

However, given the overwhelming demand for Immediate Relief Supports from school districts, fund managers chose to focus grant making on meeting immediate need requests from school districts.

Click here for the full list of districts supported by the Harvey KIDS Education Fund.

If you have any questions about the Harvey KIDS Fund, please contact Riddhi Chhaya at rchhaya@cftexas.org.

Harvey KIDS Stories

Aransas County ISD

Aransas County ISD

The impact of Hurricane Harvey in Aransas County ISD included collapsed buildings, and caved-in roofs. In addition to having lost 3 weeks of instruction time, the district and its students have also struggled with a lack of adequate classroom space and equipment. Teachers must also support students who face unique challenges while coping with the loss of loved ones, homes and precious belongings. Harvey KIDS funds are being used there to replace lost technology, provide necessary items for special-needs students and offer English classes for parents.

One high-priority use of the funds was the replacement of equipment for the district's special needs children after the destruction of many classrooms and storage areas. One student, Ava (pictured here), now has a new adaptive tricycle to help her with her motor skills and coordination.

East Chambers ISD

East Chambers ISD

East Chambers school district was hit with 60 inches of water during Hurricane Harvey, and many families who faced substantial losses due to the flood are still struggling with home repairs. The Harvey KIDS funds are helping East Chambers ISD support an after-school program to help students with their homework and studies by providing access to teachers, computers, textbooks and other resources, as well as late transportation back home.

Edna ISD

Edna ISD

In Edna ISD, Harvey KIDS funds are being used to employ additional staff to provide remediation and other support to more than 1,500 students there.

Pearland ISD

Pearland ISD

At least 1,000 homes in Pearland ISD were inundated by floodwaters, forcing 414 students there to move to shelter outside of their home school zones. Harvey KIDS funds are being used to provide these students with transportation to and from school, which has resulted in a daily attendance rate of more than 98%. Despite the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey, students are learning, and the schools are maintaining normalcy as best they can.

Port Aransas ISD

Port Aransas ISD

In Port Aransas ISD, Harvey KIDS funds are being used to offer licensed professional counseling services to the 425 students there, many of whom experienced much loss due to Hurricane Harvey. They are also using funds for medium-term assessment and interventions for their students through the Istation program.

Spring Branch ISD

Spring Branch ISD

Harvey KIDS funds are being used in Spring Branch ISD to provide case management support to mental health professionals at three campuses.

Taft ISD

Taft ISD

Due to the extensive damage in Taft ISD after Hurricane Harvey, classes for the district’s more than 1,000 students were delayed a month into the school year. To support students and teachers who must now catch up in their coursework, Harvey KIDS funds are being used to hire education consultants who will assist with curriculum and plan development to adjust for lost instructional time.

Vidor ISD

Vidor ISD

In Vidor ISD, the possible relocation of up to 50 teachers, and maintenance and transportation personnel has been a big concern since the hurricane. In order to help keep vital human capital in the district with nearly 4,000 students, Harvey KIDS funds are being used there to offer two daily meals to staff, and to replace lost technology.