HCPS FL Logo Academic Support and Federal Programs
Action Item
DATE: Tuesday, October 16, 2018
TO: School Board Members
FROM: Jeff Eakins, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve the Memorandum of Agreement Between Friends of the Children-Tampa Bay, Inc. and The School Board of Hillsborough County, Florida (Academic Support and Federal Programs)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
For 25 years, Friends of the Children-Tampa Bay, Inc. nationally matched the highest-risk children with salaried, professional mentors called Friends.  Friends work with children in support of three long-term goals: to graduate from high school, to avoid juvenile justice system involvement, and to avoid becoming a teen parent.  The purpose of this agreement is to establish a framework of collaboration to support identified students in the foster care system from kindergarten through graduation.  Each Friend works with eight children providing four hours of service per week.  The professional mentors communicate regularly with teachers to discuss students' needs, help facilitate school-family communication, and promote development of social and emotional skills children need in order to be ready to learn in school.  Friends of the Children-Tampa Bay, Inc. (Friends Tampa Bay) shares the district's commitment to the educational success of all children, regardless of their backgrounds or family circumstances. Friends Tampa Bay serves kindergarten-aged children in partnership with all schools Hillsborough County Public Schools.  The number of students enrolled in the program each year will vary depending on the need and available slots in the program. Students will remain in the program through high school graduation even if they change schools.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Improve the high school graduation rate • Provide a student-centered learning environment that engages every child • Develop a culture of respect, trust, and collaboration • Engage and communicate with families and stakeholders • Continuously improve processes and systems • Demonstrate "best practices" in all aspects of safety: student, employee, visitor, facility, transportation, and health
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  No)
There is no financial impact to the district for these services.
EVALUATION
Since the inception, Friends Tampa Bay has invested in evaluation strategies to measure the ability of the program model to affect long-term change for children in the highest risk circumstances.  This partnership has the following measurable goals: Indicator 1: students attend school regularly (95 percent of school days);   Indicator 2: students follow school rules and avoid behavior resulting in suspension; Indicator 3: students make progress and perform at grade level in core subjects. 

Reports will be submitted annually to the Supervisor of School Social Work Services.
SUBMITTED BY: 
Myrna Hogue, Supervisor, School Social Work Services
Holly Saia, Ed.S   Tracye H. Brown
Director, Student Services
(813) 273-7136
  Assistant Superintendent
(813) 272-4879
    C 3.02
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20181016_909 (Board Meeting) * Section C Item# 3.02