Approve Memorandum Agreement with The Florida Kinship Center at the University of South Florida for the Provision of Services for the Full Service School Program (Student Services and Federal Programs Division)

This Memorandum of Agreement is in effect August 20, 2008, through June 30, 2009. The Florida Kinship Center at the University of South Florida has received funding to continue “The Kinship Care Connection: Connecting Children, Caregivers and Schools” for the 2008/2009 school year. Booker T. Washington, James, Foster, and Sheehy Elementary Schools have been selected to participate in this social service program. Select Kinship Care families will receive individual and group work services, including tutoring and assistance with referrals.

Goal 5 – The District will eliminate the FCAT achievement gap by a minimum of 10 percentage points as reported by No Child Left Behind.

The total funding of $18,632.07 will be allocated to the District for paying twenty percent of the annual salary of the school social work liaison for this Full Service School program. Funds to continue this program were given by the Department of Children and Families, with matching funds from the local Children’s Board until June 30, 2009. The District provides office space at James Elementary School.

The Florida Kinship Center at the University of South Florida conducts on-going research about program services. This research team will provide a list of current studies in September 2008, and March 2009. Program evaluation reports will be shared with the Supervisor of School Social Work Services to better understand Kinship situations and how to better serve students being raised by relatives other than their parents.