The HISD’s Student Support Services has restructured in August 2017 to include the Department of Student Assistance. This department is responsible for the planning and implementation of programs which address the needs of students at risk for school failure due to non-academic indicators. The Student Assistance Department works to coordinate various support and strategies in schools and communities in order to provide at-risk students with the opportunity to graduate from high school. Through this new structure, more targeted assistance can be provided to increase the effectiveness of the district's support efforts by connecting students and their families to appropriate services as needed. The new department structure incorporates the use of outreach workers to support campuses in matters of attendance, homeless assistance, pregnancy related services, and working to ensure students who have been incarcerated or who are in foster care receive the assistance they need.