Okaloosa County BOCC — January 18, 2013 — LETF Re-Submission for S4P Synergy — reading text

REQUEST FOR FUNDING FROM OKALOOSA COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT TRUST FUND (Note: This funding must meet the criteria of F.S. 932.7055, paras. (5)(c) 1. through 3., Le., drug treatment, drug abuse education, crime prevention, or safe neighborhoods, or other law enforcement purposes.) (Copy attached) Organization _S4P Synergy Inc Contact Person__Lin Mack Title_Executive Director Phone_(850)362-6977 Contact Email s4psynergy@striving.eccoxmail.com_ If a Non-Profit, Type and No. 501(C)3, EIN 59-3676322 Street Address _24 Bass Ave SW, FWB, FL 32548 City/State/Zip_ FWB, FL.32548 Amount Requested: $3,690.00 List the specific expenses in the areas of Drug Treatment, Drug Abuse Education, Crime Prevention, Safe Neighborhoods, or Other Law Enforcement Purposes that these funds will be used and sign the Certification: (You may attach additional correspondence you deem appropriate if more space required) The objective of our program is to make our community neighborhoods safer, and reduce crime by making failing students academically and socially successful, The “My Team” Parental Involvement Program at Chactawhatchee High School has been highly successful in the last 3 years. Research has shown that children whose parents are involved in their lives are less likely to use drugs, have disciplinary problems, or get involved in criminal activity. Studies further show that the more intensely parents is involved in their children’s learning, the more beneficial are the achievement effects. This holds true for all types of parent involvement in children's learning and for all types and ages of students. Our Parental Involvement program mirrors a highly successful program at Granger High School in Washington State and our program has proven to be just as successful. In light of this knowledge, we are again asking for your support of the Parental Involvement Program at Choctawhatchee High School in its entirety, All of the teachers who participate in this program are volunteers, therefore we attempt to provide an administrative support (paper, dry erase markers, etc) each month to each teacher as well as a “Kick-off dinner and Graduation dinner for the teachers, students, and the students’ family. The sole purpose of the “Kick-off and Graduation Dinner” is to establish a lasting rapport between the student, the parent and the teacher/school. This rapport has proved invaluable at Granger HS with Granger students excelling academically as well as going from the “highest” crime rate to the lowest crime rate. (Please see attachments). Qur budget for this program is as follows. (1)30 teachers x 9 months x $7.00 = $1,890 {This equates to $63 per teacher each school year). (2)Kick-off Dinner and Graduation Dinner = 150 (teachers, students, atid the student’s family) x $6,00 per meal x 2 dinners ($900) = $1,800. (3)Total Sponsorship: $3,690.00 (certify that the requested Florida Contraband Forfeiture Funds Monies received from the Okaloosa County State Forfeiture Fund will be used for the above purposes. | further acknowledge that within 60 days of funds receipt, | will provide an accounting for such moneys to the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office for documentation purposes (to include copies of receipts as applicable). Printed Name__Lin. Mack Title_ Executive Director Signature__ C3 Date_12/28/2012 (Submit this form to: Administrative Bureau Chief, Okaloosa County Sheriff, 1250 N. Eglin Pkwy, Shalimar, FL 32579- 1234 or FAX to 850-609-3048, ATTN: Administrative Bureau Chief) For OCSO Use Only: Approved/Disapproved van bh Date. Jan. &, 20/3 (Sheriffor Designee) Date to Board of County Commissioners Board Action: Approved/Disapproved Date: Amount: $ Date Follow-Up Accounting Due Date Received Date forwarded to County Finance OCSO/BCC Form 01/2013 ATTACHMENT 1 wetting > a f. \ S4P Synergy, Inc. Chyich COMMU: _ . e) ; y “Working Together To Build A Stronger Community M commece | P.O. Box 1626 Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32549 ( Telephone: 850-362-6977 Pp rn ok Ggein® 3 December 27, 2012 Sheriff Larry Ashley Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office 1250 N. Eglin Parkway Shalimar, FL 32579 Dear Sheriff Ashley, 1. Per our meeting with County Commissioners Parisot and Amunds, we are resubmitting our request. The purpose of this letter is two-fold. The first purpose is to thank you for the years of support in the community and your assistance in funding programs in our community. Sincere thanks for considering it a great idea to reinvest seized money and property from criminal activities back into the same neighborhoods and children that these activities have had its greatest impact. 2. The second purpose is to request your support again for the upcoming school year. The objective of our program is to make our community neighborhoods safer, and reduce crime by making failing students academically and socially successful. The “My Team” Parental Involvement Program at Choctawhatchee High School has been highly successful in the last 3 years. Research has shown that children whose parents are involved in their lives are less likely to use drugs, have disciplinary problems, or get involved in criminal activity. Studies further show that the more intensely parents is involved in their children's learning, the more beneficial are the achievement effects. This holds true for all types of parent involvement in children's learning and for all types and ages of students. 3. This Parental Involvement program mirrors a highly successful program at Granger High School in Washington State and our program has proven to be just as successful. The target population is 9" and 10" graders who have scored in the lowest percentile on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) or have been retained, Sheriff Ashley, here are results of the “My Team” program that you supported in the 2011-2012 school year. ° 97% of students increased at least one level on the Reading FCAT or stayed on the same level. In fact, only one student actually decreased a level on the Reading FCAT. e 45% of students improved attendance from the previous year. One student reduced absences from 22 to 8. , e 21% improved discipline. One student reduced discipline infractions from 9 referrals in 3 grade to only 2 in 9" grade. . Please take a moment to read the attached article from previous years. And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, | say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did if fa Me.’ Matthew 25:40 (NJKV) 4. In light of this knowledge, we are again asking for your support of the Parental Involvement Program at Choctawhatchee High School in its entirety. All of the teachers who participate in this program are volunteers, therefore we attempt to provide an administrative support (paper, dry erase markers, etc) each month to each teacher as well as a “Kick-off dinner and Graduation dinner for the teachers, students, and the students’ family. The sole purpose of the “Kick-off and Graduation Dinner” is to establish a lasting rapport between the student, the parent and the teacher/school. This rapport has proved invaluable at Granger HS with Granger students excelling academically as well as going from the “highest” crime ’rate to the lowest crime rate, GRANGER HS “Before” “After” 1999- Parent Conferences 23% 2005- 100% four times in a row 2001- Reading 20% 2005- 64% continuously enrolled 2001- Writing 10.8% 2005- 52% continuously enrolled 2001- Math 3.9% . 2005- 31% continuously enrolled 2000- 36 graduates out of 100 2005- 84% extended rate 1999. Highest reported crime rate | 2003- Lowest reported crime in Yakima Valley rate in Yakima Valley 5. Our goals are as follows: a. Improve FCAT reading scores for all participating students b. Build a relationship between the student, the parent and the school c. Improve parental attitude and rapport with the school d. Improve parents concept of themselves and the vital role that they play in the lives of their children 6. Our budget for this program is as follows. 1) 30 teachers x 9 months x $7.00 = $1,890 (This equates to $63 per teacher each school year) 2) Kick-off Dinner and Graduation Dinner = 150 (teachers, students, and the student’s family) x $6.00 per meal x 2 dinners ($900) = $1,800 3) Total Sponsorship: $3,690.00 7. Again, to let the community know your support, we encourage you to consider our proposal in taking the first steps on the long road toward making our neighborhoods safer; reducing crime and helping our students achieve academic excellence. Sincerely, Lin Mack Executive Director S4P Synergy Inc ATTACHMENT 2 PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT PROGRAM: 1, Only program non-school district program in Okaloosa County that focuses on the parent and student. This program is gears to intensify parents involvement in their children's learning as well as building a better relationship between the student, the parent and the school. 2. This program approved Okaloosa County School District and the Superintendent of Schools. The Okaloosa County School Board approved a Parental Involvement Program at Crestview and Choctaw High Schools and was lauded by their principals as a major reason for Choctaw and Crestview High Schools improving from "C" schools to "A" schools. See Article below: Parental Involvement Program helping Choctaw students change for the better Katie Tammen 2010-02-03 22:18:22 TON BEACH — The changes are remarkable. Brittney Dillon and K.J. Brundidge were arnong 52 students selected to participate in the Parent Involvement Program, which is designed to help struggling students reach their potential with the help ; of parents and teachers, The Choctawhatchee High School students and their parents first met with their faculty mentors in September over a spaghetti dinner. Much has changed since then. When K.J. was selected for the program, his expectations weren’t high. He’d never really liked school and doubted the new program would change things. K.J.’s grades were poor and he skipped school when he didn’t feel like going — he had seven unexcused absences in the first semester last year. But since he’s been paired up with math teacher Andy Thigpen, his attitude and grades have improved. “To see where he was at last year to where he’s grown this year has just been a tremendous change,” Thigpen said. In one semester, K.J. has brought his grade point average up, joined the basketball team and had only one excused absence. “Basketball is helping,” KJ. said. “it’s given me a reason to keep my grades up.” With Thigpen’s help, K.J. has discovered his doesn’t dislike school and that he excels at and enjoys mathematics. A world of new possibilities opened up for him after he gat mostly As and Bs on his first progress report. His excitement only increased when he was able to maintain those grades. Now, he hopes to get a college academic scholarship. On the basketball team, which Thigpen helps coach, KJ. not only is learning about ball-handling and shooting, but teamwork and respect for authority. “lwas only thinking about my grades, but when you get down to it, it is a lot (of change),” KJ. said. A principal at a low-performing high school in Washington state developed the Parent Involvement Program. After the principal asked teachers to maintain continuous contact with several struggling students and their families, the school. had moved up to the top of the district rankings by the end of the year. Brittney also has seen a lot of positives since she joined program. initially, she said she never really enjoyed school, so she didn’t pay attention and her grades suffered. Now, with the help of biology teacher Elaine Hagan, Brittney said she feels motivated like never before. Hagan checks in with Brittney every day and has helped her get the tutoring she needs for subjects she finds difficult. “W’s just going very, very well,” Hagan said. Brittney said her parents now are always encouraging her to do her homework