Every Child and Family is Known

Every Child and Family is Known: Year 1 Report

The Every Child and Family is Known (ECFIK) initiative was launched by the New York City Mayor’s Children’s Cabinet in 2023 to support students residing in Department of Homeless Services (DHS) shelters. The initiative is centered around “Caring Adults”—designated school-based staff who build trusting relationships with these students and their families, connect them to supportive services and resources, and promote school engagement. CIDI conducted a mixed methods evaluation to assess both the initiative’s implementation and its early effects on student outcomes. This report presents findings from the evaluation, combining analyses of student administrative data with insights from surveys and focus groups with Caring Adults.

Findings

This study finds that students enrolled in ECFIK experienced stronger academic performance and fewer mid-year school transfers compared to a control group of similar students. Elementary school students showed an 8.8 percentage point gain in math proficiency and were 20 percentage points less likely to transfer schools mid-year. Improvements in educational outcomes were observed for middle and high school students as well, although results for older students should be interpreted with caution due to smaller sample sizes and greater estimate variability.

During surveys and focus groups, Caring Adults reported that their relationships with students and families served as a key protective factor, improving engagement and trust. They also described shifts in school culture toward more empathetic and supportive environments for students experiencing homelessness.

Documents and Links

ECFIK Report - 2025

ECFIK Summary of Learning

Partners

NYC Children’s Cabinet
NYC Public Schools
NYC Department of Homeless Services
NYC Department of Social Services
NYC Administration for Children’s Services
NYC Department of Youth & Community Development
New Visions for Public Schools