Tessa Belardo

Title: Community Homeless Concerns Liaison
Job site: Kaua‘i District Office
Years in the HIDOE: 6
Years in the position: 6

Q: Briefly describe your career path.
A: After graduating from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa with a degree in sociology, I began my career as a community outreach worker for a federally qualified health center. That experience gave me a strong foundation in working with diverse families and connecting them to essential community resources, which eventually led me to my current position with the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education. 

Q: What are your primary duties?
A: My role focuses on ensuring that students experiencing homelessness are identified, supported, and given the same educational opportunities as their housed peers. This includes coordinating with schools and community agencies to ensure McKinney-Vento students are immediately enrolled, have access to early childhood programs, and receive free school meals and transportation to/from their school of origin, ensuring educational stability. I also connect families with vital services such as health care, food, housing and other appropriate resources. Collaboration with administrators, school staff and community partners is a key part of my daily work to remove barriers and support student success. 

Q: How does your job support students?
A: I support students by helping overcome challenges that might prevent regular attendance and success in school. I work to ensure that students experiencing homelessness can focus on learning, feel supported and have the resources they need to thrive academically and personally.

Q: Favorite part about the job?
A: Seeing students succeed and hearing stories of families moving into permanent housing is incredibly rewarding. Knowing that our support played even a small part in helping them reach stability and success makes this work meaningful every day. 

Q: Most challenging part about your position?
A: Balancing the immediate needs of families in crisis with the long-term goal of educational stability can be challenging. Every situation is unique and it often takes creativity, persistence and collaboration to find solutions that meet each family’s unique needs. 

Q: What advice do you have for people considering this position?
A: Approach the work with empathy and “unconditional positive regard.” Building trust takes time so be patient with families. The connections you create through genuine care and respect are what truly make a difference.

Q: Fun fact about yourself?
A: I value meaningful connections through food and travel and I’m fluent in Tagalog. My love for teamwork started early, having played volleyball in high school and soccer in college.

In honor of November as National Youth Homeless Awareness Month, mahalo to all of our community homeless concerns liaisons across the state who dedicate their time and compassion to supporting our students and ensuring that every child has access to education, stability and hope!