Children’s Home Society of Florida

Children’s Home Society of Florida

Increasing Social and Emotional Learning Access through Florida’s Community Partnership Schools

It’s tough to concentrate in school when poverty, violence, hunger, illness, mental health challenges and homelessness dominate students’ attention. Taking a holistic approach to education, the Community Partnership Schools™ model brings together high-quality academics, health care, mental health counseling, mentoring and more – right onsite at the school, providing easily accessible resources and services to students struggling with heavy burdens that may otherwise interfere with their education.

Founded in 1902, Children’s Home Society of Florida (CHS) strives to provide evidence-based and quality services to families and communities. CHS statewide serves more than 59,000 children/families annually through Early Childhood Services, Counseling & Mental Health Services, Child Welfare, Mentoring, Outreach & Job Training and Community Solutions.

With support from All Points North Foundation, CHS will provide onsite Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) group sessions to 216 underprivileged and at risk-students at three middle schools incorporating the Community Partnership Schools™ model to help students achieve their academic best. Sixth, seventh and eighth grade students exhibiting negative behaviors and identified by their teachers as needing Tier 1 or Tier 2 support will be able to access this program. Each school will have six groups per semester and receive eight 45-minute SEL sessions. Sessions will discuss relationship building, self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and responsible decision-making.

The Community Partnership Schools™ model starts with four core partners – the school district, a healthcare provider, a nonprofit organization and a college or university – making a 25 year agreement to collaborate and uplift the students, their families and the surrounding community. The model was co-founded by Children’s Home Society of Florida and the University of Central Florida, first launched at Orlando’s Evans High School a decade ago and expanded to 30 schools from Pensacola to Miami. Children’s Home Society of Florida is a core partner in 21 Community Partnership Schools statewide – more than any other entity in the state.

For more information: www.chsfl.org

Photo credit: Children’s Home Society of Florida

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All Points North Foundation provides grants for U.S.-based projects and initiatives that support our priorities: improving public middle school education and teacher training, and implementing effective solar programs and/or projects.

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