MURFREESBORO (AP) — A Middle Tennessee State University program that helps homeless students will be a model for other state schools.

MTSU says a new state law requires state-funded post-secondary educational institutions to designate liaisons to homeless students and develop programs to provide them access to housing.

MSTU's program began in 2008. Officials there are creating a manual on starting and securing community resources for homeless students programs.

Danielle Rochelle, outreach and support programs coordinator for the MT One Stop program, verifies which MTSU students are homeless under federal standards when each semester starts. Her office extends aid to homeless students, unaccompanied minors and students aging out of foster care.

Rochelle oversees a student food pantry and the Safety Net Fund, which helps students with housing, food, health, transportation and other needs.