Page 25 - Dec 2021 Report

30 years - Our Journey Continues Grant Program Committee meeting minutes (draft) (5)
graduates of the Take Stock in Children/Johnson Scholars Program, Gerthania Louis and Matthew Narcisse. The fall report on the program had been circulated.
Bo began by announcing that the program’s name recently changed from the Johnson Take Stock Program to the Take Stock in Children/Johnson Scholars Program. He explained that Take Stock in Children is an easily recognizable and respected name within the School District and beyond, which prompted the name change. The program is in the first year of the new 5-year collaborative agreement among the District, Take Stock and JSF. Bo has succeeded Wanda Kirby, who retired from the District. He will hire someone to fill his old position. Schools have returned to in-person learning, but because of continued concerns about COVID, the program has taken a hybrid approach that includes virtual mentoring, coaching, and workshops. Students also have access to wellness strategies through a series of workshops. Pahokee High School became the 11th club school this year. Since August 1, 2021, a total of 1,984 mentor sessions have been completed with an average of 89 percent of mentors meeting regularly with their mentees. Also, 99 percent of the 2021 cohort graduated high school. There are currently 501 students in the program, and more than 700 college students are receiving services through the program’s retention department.
Bo and Nancy outlined several successes. For the past 6 years, the program has produced finalists for the statewide Take Stock Leaders for Life program, which includes a scholarship package worth up to $40,000. Also, there were 3 valedictorians in the 2021 cohort as well as 3 students accepted into the Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program, which includes a scholarship worth $22,000 to attend Florida Atlantic University. The program’s combined impact over the past 12 years has produced more than 1,200 scholarships outside of those awarded through the program.
The 2 recent graduates of the program shared their testimonies. Gerthania graduated from Lake Worth High School in 2017 and the University of Florida in 2021. As a high school student, she didn’t feel safe at home because of family problems. She said the program helped her graduate as salutatorian of her class. She plans to attend law school, but she is spending a year serving the Take Stock in Children/Johnson Scholars Program as an AmeriCorps College Readiness Coach. Today she is helping 80 students on their journey to college. Like Gerthania, Matthew also faced troubles at home as a youth. He was one of 13 children, and he said the program helped him honor his family by going to college. He graduated from Lake Worth High School in 2018, and today he is a participant in the Machen Florida Opportunity Scholars Program. The presenters were congratulated for their work with this program, and they left the meeting.
8. Disability programing
A. University of North Florida application
An application from the University of North Florida had been circulated along with notes from a May 6, 2021 site visit to UNF and an email from UNF’s Director of Development Kathleen Leone. In 2017, JSF entered into a 3-year grant agreement with UNF to fund the Access Academy for students with disabilities. The matching agreement required UNF to raise $75,000 to receive $50,000 from JSF. UNF complied with all requirements of that agreement, which concluded in 2019. The new request is for continued funding of Access Academy in the amount of $150,000 over 3 years with a matching ratio of 1:1.
The Committee discussed a few points in the application. UNF plans to hire an external program evaluator, and the hope is that the findings will convince the university to sustain the program on its own. The budget for the program lists a director salary of $21,000. It is likely that those funds are for the head of Student Accessibility Services, who will take on additional responsibilities. There was discussion about how this will be paid to that individual.
The Committee unanimously approved an application as presented from the University of North Florida for continued funding of Access Academy in the amount of $150,000 over 3 years with a matching ratio of 1:1.
B. Mount Allison University application
An application from Mount Allison University had been circulated. The request is for CAD $60,000 over 3 years to provide accommodations for students with disabilities wishing to participate in the Global Skills
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