About

Welcome to "NAF El Centro!"

Appointments are recommended. School Liaison visits NAF El Centro 4th Tuesday/month. School Liaison can also be reached via phone during business hours.

Please reach out to the point of contact listed below if you should have any questions.

Giselle Mclaurin, East County School Liaison: Email: giselle.c.mclaurin.naf@us.navy.mil, Phone: 619-372-8914

Katrina Portwood, NAF El Centro Child Youth Program Director: kartina.r.portwood.civ@us.navy.mil

The School Liaison's primary function is to serve as a conduit between parents, educators, and the command so that military-connected children experience a seamless transition during the transfer between schools. Most military children move up to nine times in their PreK-12th grade years, and consistency and retention of educational goals is a significant focus for families when planning to PCS. The School Liaison Officers can offer information on area schools and help facilitate communication between the military family on matters relating to regional public and private schools as well as home school and alternative modes of education.

The School Liaison Officer provides information and resources for military families on internal organizations including, but not limited to, Fleet and Family Support Programs (FFSP), Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP), Child and Youth Program (CYP) activities as well as some external organizations, such as but not limited to, the Armed Services YMCA, Military Family Collaborative, and Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. They also serve as a subject matter expert in education-related issues such as the Interstate Compact for Military Children, the Department of Education, local school districts, and other education-related organizations.
*Please see Core Services for specific school-related supports available.

The School Liaisons can:
• Answer questions about school enrollment options
• Provide information about local schools and boundaries
• Assist with inbound/outbound school transfers
• Help you understand and navigate the unique education process
• Provide resources for college readiness
• Assist with agency referrals
...And much more!

School Liaisons are available to assist all service members and their families with school-related questions. Visit our Directory for contact information or program updates and assistance.

Why School Liaison?
• Families move an average of every 2.9 years
• Children attend up to 9 different schools by graduation
• Families experience increased stress related to deployment during wartime

Core Services
• School Transition Services (PCS Cycle): School Liaison Officers assist families with school transfers and help “level the playing field” for military children and youth.
• Deployment Support: School Liaison Officers connect educators with the Navy deployment support system to inform them about deployment cycles and the tools available to assist educators in working with Navy children.
• Command, School, Community Communications: School Liaison Officers serve as subject-matter experts for installation commanders on K-12 issues, helping to connect command, school, and community resources.
• Home School Linkage and Support: School Liaison Officers assist Navy families by gathering and sharing information on homeschooling issues, policies, and legislation from local school districts. They also help leverage Navy Child and Youth Programs resources to support these families.
• Partnerships in Education (PIE): PIE creates a volunteer network of resources to support installation and community members who have a vested interest in the success of all youth.
• Post-Secondary Preparations: School Liaison Officers leverage installation and school resources to provide graduating military students with access to post-secondary information and opportunities.
• Special Needs System Navigation: School Liaison Officers provide information about installation and community programs and services, make referrals to the Exceptional Family Member Program, and assist in navigating local education agencies' administrative systems.

Academic Anchor

Academic Anchor is Navy Region Southwest's bimonthly School Liaison Newsletter. It addresses educational issues affecting our region's military children and provides information about upcoming events.