Hillsborough County Public Schools Business
Action Item

DATE: Tuesday, January 27, 2009
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

Approve the Renewal Agreement #1 Between Hillsborough County Public Schools and the State of Florida’s Department of Juvenile Justice, as Part of the Safe Schools and Students Program, Grant #Q8911 (Student Services and Federal Programs Division)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) awarded $100,000 to Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) for the Safe Schools and Students grant-funded project Promotion of Wellness, Empowerment and Responsibility For Girls (POWER for Girls), which targets delinquency prevention. Year One of the project began January 1, 2008. The project provides mentoring, counseling services, in-home assessments, referral services, parent education and support services, volunteer support services, and life enhancement groups for targeted at-risk girls between the ages of 5-15. Participants reside in at-risk communities and demonstrate characteristics such as numerous disciplinary referrals and challenging family issues. Services were provided by Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Tampa Bay (BBBS). BBBS works with DJJ, the school system, law enforcement, the courts, diversion programs, and other social service agencies to target high-risk segments of at-risk populations. DJJ seeks to renew this project in the amount of $100,000 to cover two funding periods: 1) July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2010, and 2) July 1, 2010, through December 31, 2010.

ANNUAL DISTRICT GOAL(S) AND CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S)

* Increase promotion rates at all grade levels and the percentage of high school graduates, * Motivate students to become responsible learners, * Promote a culture of safety, which is free from harassment, bullying, and aggression

FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: No)

Funding for Project POWER for Girls is provided by the Florida DJJ, Safe Schools and Students Program (Grant # Q8911). HCPS is the fiscal agent for the project and funds reside with the District.

EVALUATION

Under the terms of the grant, HCPS is responsible for facilitating the project evaluation. HCPS and BBBS will coordinate the collection of assessment data to the outside evaluator for the grant. The outside evaluator will provide a copy of the annual evaluation report to HCPS office of Assessment and Accountability. The anticipated date for project evaluation for the 2009/10 school year is September 30, 2010.

SUBMITTED BY: Lynn Fell, Grants and Research Operations Officer

Gwendolyn L. Luney, Assistant Superintendent
Student Services and Federal Programs
(813) 272-4879
Gretchen Saunders
Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
A 5.17
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20090127_342 * Section A Item# 5.17