MEP Outreach

Outreach

To quote the Migrant Education Program (MEP) Non-Regulatory Guidance, “The children who are most in need of program services are often those who are the most difficult to find.” Arroyo Research Services staff believe efficient, timely outreach and enrollment* is the foundation to supporting migratory children and youth. Arroyo Research Services staff have extensive experience in the outreach and enrollment* of migratory children in various capacities throughout the country. Below is a list of services we provide to state, regional, and local Migrant Education Programs (MEPs) to ensure accurate, timely outreach and enrollment of every eligible migratory child. 

*Arroyo Research Services staff use the phrase “outreach and enrollment” in place of identification and recruitment (ID&R) to describe the task of conducting outreach to and enrolling all eligible migratory children and youth into the Migrant Education Program (MEP). 

Comprehensive outreach and enrollment 

Arroyo Research Services staff have led and implemented comprehensive outreach and enrollment efforts for the Migrant Education Program (MEP) nationwide. The Arroyo Research Services outreach and enrollment team provides scalable outreach support tailored to each program’s needs: in some states, Arroyo Research Services manages the outreach and enrollment of every migratory child into the Migrant Education Program (MEP); in others, we enroll the students in the non-MEP-funded counties or specific counties within one region to ensure that the program enrolls all eligible migratory children within its geographic region. 

Outreach and enrollment planning

Migrant Education Program (MEP) outreach staff have a large workload. The responsibility of conducting outreach to and enrolling every eligible migratory child in every state is a heavy lift. With such a large task, outreach staff can have a hard time determining how to spend their time. Arroyo Research Services creates an outreach and enrollment planner that helps outreach staff plan and prioritize their outreach efforts.  

Quality Control 

Quality control integrated into your Migrant Education Program (MEP) is critical for the proper identification and recruitment of eligible migratory children on a statewide basis according to CFR § 200.89 (d).  Arroyo Research Services staff support states in establishing and implementing a system of quality controls.

  • Training: Onsite and remote training may include Migrant Education Program (MEP) eligibility, COE completion, outreach efforts, etc.
  • Supervision, annual review and evaluation: Arroyo Research Services has developed strategies and techniques to help determine the strengths and weaknesses of outreach staff, thus informing future training topics. 
  • Certificate of Eligibility review: Arroyo Research Services Migrant Education Program (MEP) staff have reviewed thousands of Certificates of Eligibility (COEs). They can review state Migrant Education Program (MEP) Certificates of Eligibility (COEs) as they are submitted, or they can conduct a desk review of Certificates of Eligibility (COEs) previously approved and produce a report with information about eligibility, accuracy, and completeness
  • Re-interviews: States are required to conduct an annual re-interview of each migratory child enrolled during each performance period. Arroyo Research Services staff can help prepare, execute, and follow up on the results of the re-interview. 

Staff Training: virtual and onsite

Effective quality control is supported with training and professional development to ensure the MEP team remains current on policy and guidance to successfully and appropriately conduct project activities. ARS provides training on evidence-based recruitment practices and eligibility criteria using current materials from the Office of Migrant Education (OME) such as the Migrant Education Program Non-Regulatory Guidance, National COE Instructions, National ID&R Curriculum and ID&R Manual, along with state-specific materials. ARS provides training for all Migrant Education Program (MEP) staff, including virtual presentations using a range of tools and materials such as PowerPoint and YouTube videos, as well as prepared documents. ARS staff also provide comprehensive in-person onboarding training for new recruiters as well as accompany seasoned recruiters on collaborative outreach efforts.

Recruitment Sweeps: Focused ID&R Operations 

Arroyo Research Services staff have completed on-demand outreach and enrollment efforts to bolster existing Migrant Education Program (MEP) outreach efforts. For example, if a Migrant Education Program (MEP) were concerned about their lack of Out-of-School Youth (OSY) enrollment, Arroyo Research Services staff could visit the state, region or county, and conduct outreach and enrollment of Out-of-School Youth (OSY) in the area. 

Re-interviews

States are required to conduct an annual re-interview of each migratory child enrolled during each performance period. Arroyo Research Services staff can help prepare, execute, and follow up on the results of the re-interview. 

Multi-Source Data Analysis, Research and Management

The Migrant Education Program (MEP) has no shortage of required data reporting. The Arroyo Research Services Migrant Education Program (MEP) data team has experience in all things Migrant Education Program (MEP) data: EDFacts file specifications, Consolidated State Performance Reporting (CSPR), MSIX Minimum Data Elements (MDEs), and more. The Arroyo Research Services Migrant Education Program (MEP) team conducts the data entry, analysis and reporting for all of these requirements.

MIS2000

36 state Migrant Education Programs (MEPs use the MIS2000 platform. The Arroyo Research Services Migrant Education Program (MEP) team has used MIS2000 in 10 of these states. We have extensive knowledge of the capabilities of the MIS2000 system and how states use the system. For programs using MIS2000, the Arroyo Research Services Migrant Education Program (MEP) team could review the system and provide recommendations on how the system can be optimized to enable more effective and efficient operations. United States Department of Education (USED) Office of Migrant Education (OME) Monitoring & Program Review

Outreach Planner Implementation

The Outreach Planner is a centralized, desktop and mobile-ready platform designed to coordinate and document identification, recruitment, and service activities. By consolidating research and field tools into a single interface, the system improves data quality and program oversight while helping staff operate more efficiently.

Key Capabilities:
  • Strategic Route Planning: Recruiters can organize efforts by mapping farms, employers, and housing locations to create efficient outreach routes.
  • Real-Time Activity Logging: Staff can document employer visits and community contacts on mobile devices, with or without an internet connection, ensuring accurate records for documentation and program planning.
  • Integrated Research Leads: The system automatically pulls data every day from sources like the US Department of Labor (USDOL), the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), MIS2000 and more to provide recruiters with actionable leads directly in the field.
  • Program Oversight & Analytics: Administrators gain access to real-time dashboards summarizing outreach efforts, supporting data-driven decisions and monitoring staff efficiency.
  • Institutional Knowledge: The platform maintains a historical record of all recruitment efforts, preventing duplication of work and preserving historical knowledge during staff transitions.
Implementation & Support

Arroyo Research Services provides end-to-end support to ensure the Outreach Planner is fully integrated into state and local workflows. Our team handles the technical heavy lifting so your staff can focus on the field.

  • Custom Configuration: We align the system’s data fields and workflows to match your state’s specific ID&R processes and reporting requirements.
  • Comprehensive Training: Arroyo Research Services provides targeted webinars for recruiters, data staff, and administrators to ensure full system adoption.
  • Security & Compliance: The platform is built on a secure cloud infrastructure featuring encrypted data transmission and role-based access controls to ensure the protection of sensitive student data.
  • Ongoing Optimization: We provide continuous technical support and feature enhancements based on user feedback to ensure the tool evolves with your program’s needs.