Approve Memorandum of Agreement between the School District of Hillsborough County and Hillsborough Kids, Inc. (HKI) (Student Services and Federal Programs Division)

School Social Work Services with the Full Service Schools Program has developed a partnership with Hillsborough Kids, Inc. (HKI) and other community partners to provide support for services in foster care. Currently, a Guidance Counselor has been appointed on Special Assignment to serve high school students in foster care district-wide. HKI is providing additional funds to create a similar position in Student Services to serve foster care students in middle grades. Additional funds are being sought, including grants and expanded agency partnerships, to sustain and enhance services for children and youth in foster care, which promote educational success.

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

A total of $30,000 is included in the Department of Student Support Services budget to pay for the new position, including salary and benefits for the remainder of the 2006-07 school year, based on grant funding. HKI staff has verbally committed to sustained funding for the 2007-08 year. Office space and equipment is provided by the partner agencies.

The evaluation concerning the needs of students in foster care is done by a steering committee of agency partners. School district representatives on this joint steering committee are the Director of Non-Traditional Programs, Supervisor of School Social Work Services, and the Coordinator of the SED Network. This information will formally be shared with the School Board and agency partners in December, 2007.