28 Dec Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Awards $1,186,485 Grant to InterServe
InterServe was recently awarded a $1,186,485 grant from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to establish Buchanan County’s first 21st CCLC site, serving 100 students (K-8th) attending Hosea Elementary and Spring Garden Middle School in the St. Joseph School District.
The mission of the new Southside Youth Program is to deliver a high-quality afterschool and summer program in a safe, welcoming environment with positive caring adult role models and mentors. Students will be provided with academic and enrichment activities 30 hours per week (Monday-Friday) during the school year and 25 hours per week during the summer (Monday-Friday) to maximize impact on students’ learning and overall development. Activities will include tutoring, homework help, STEAM activities, counseling and group therapy, physical fitness and recreation, career development and life skills, and family engagement events to ultimately improve student academic achievement, behavior, social-emotional, and overall development.
InterServ designed the 21st CCLC Southside Youth Program based upon student and family needs with parent/student survey data from the district and two targeted schools, along with school and community data. Specifically, surveys identified the need for schoolwork help and tutoring services, including helping students read on grade level and addressing behavior and bullying problems specifically in Spring Garden. Surveys completed by both parents and students ranked bullying prevention, positive peer relationships, and safety and security as high priorities.
The 21st CCLC Southside Youth Program will serve 100 students (K-8th) grade at Hosea Elementary (K-6) and Spring Garden (7-8). All targeted students qualify for FRL. Hosea has been identified by DESE as a target school. Spring Garden has been identified by the district as in need of intervention due to rampant bullying problems. The program will target students who are at risk of academic failure, are struggling academically, have behavior challenges, and/or lack positive adult role models and mentors. Activities will be available to all students; life skills and career development activities will specifically target middle school students in 5th-8th grades. Nearly all families to be served will be at 150% below poverty level; many will be single families, predominately single mother