HCPS FL Logo Instructional Support
Action Item
DATE: Tuesday, April 29, 2014
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve Memorandum of Agreement with the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County for the Supporting and Empowering Educational Developmental Services (SEEDS) Project (Instructional Support Division)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Since 1993, the district has partnered with the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County to provide prevention and early intervention services to children and families in elementary schools and early childhood services.  For a second year, Supporting and Empowering Educational Developmental Services (SEEDS), led by the Children’s Home, Inc., has provided services.  The Children’s Board of Hillsborough County provides $2,304,906 for SEEDS services.

SEEDS is a county-wide program, which serves families who have children ages birth through the third grade.  Primary reasons for referral include readiness for school and/or a child experiencing academic challenges.  Every elementary school in the district has access to SEEDS services.  SEEDS serves schools by means of teams that support learning, which are flexible, individualized, child-centered, family focused, and culturally competent.  Services include case management, family support, school readiness experiences, linkages with school and community resources, and group events and activities.

The Supervisor of School Social Work Services serves on the SEEDS Collaborative Council as the district representative for the development and implementation of these services with families and other community providers.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Increase promotion rates at all grade levels and the percentage of high school graduates
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  Yes)
Funds of $160,000 are included in the general operating budget, project 5323
EVALUATION
The overall program goal for SEEDS is that children are ready to learn and succeed.  The SEEDS program has a contract with the local Children’s Board with required performance outcomes and measurement plans.  These outcomes and plans focus on children being ready to learn in kindergarten and students promoted in grades 1-3.  Children’s Board staff evaluates contracts on two levels.  Staff looks at contract compliance and agency capacity, including yearly fiscal reviews.  In addition, providers report on a quarterly basis on service levels and performance.  This year the Children’s Board is transitioning from an old data system to a new system, Mosaic/GEMS. During this year, providers will be collecting and reporting data manually.  Children’s Board contract managers are required to meet with providers at least three times yearly to review data and make sure they are on track.  This information is shared and reviewed by the SEEDS Collaborative Council, on which the district is represented.  There is flexibility to make changes and modification to barriers or problems if identified.
SUBMITTED BY:  Ken Gaughan, Supervisor, School Social Work Services
George E. Gaffney, Assistant Superintendent   Gretchen Saunders
Instructional Support Division
(813) 273-7033
  Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
    A 6.14
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20140429_631 (Board Meeting) * Section A Item# 6.14