United Way Awarded $75,000 to Establish First Community Partnership School
Fort Pierce, FL – United Way of St. Lucie & Okeechobee has been awarded $75,000 from the University of Central Florida to establish St. Lucie County’s first Community Partnership School at White City Elementary.
A Community Partnership School offering free wraparound health and wellness services on property to students and their families will launch this month in St. Lucie County in partnership with the University of Central Florida. The foundation of the UCF program is a 25-year agreement that consists of four core partners: a school district, a health care provider, a university, and a nonprofit. These organizations provide services on campus that can be used for free by students and their families.
The University of Central Florida Center for Community Schools provides a $75,000 grant and monitors the schools using its model. UCF’s Community Partnership School model will integrate health and wellness programs, community and parent outreach, enhance educational opportunities and leadership development, and empower students and families to pursue success. The goal is to remove barriers to allow students to focus on their education.
Recent studies of Community Partnership Schools that have been running for five years or longer have demonstrated higher standardized reading and math scores, better attendance rates, and greater parental involvement.
Through this grant, the Community Partnership School along with core partners at United Way of St. Lucie & Okeechobee, St. Lucie Public Schools, and Indian River State College, will work together to focus on meeting the particular needs of White City Elementary students and their families, helping students realize their greatest potential.
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