Agenda Item # ___
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
6/23/2015
Agenda Report # ____
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: Truancy Intervention Project
INITIATED BY: Columbus Office of Crime Prevention
Recommendation: Approval is requested to enter into a one-year contract with
Twin Cedars Youth and Family Services, Inc. to award funding for Crime
Prevention initiatives.
Background: Columbus Office of Crime Prevention has agreed to recommend the
funding of $30,000.00 to Twin Cedars TIP program. A new and innovative program
within Twin Cedars that recruits, trains and provides guidance to volunteer
attorneys and non-attorney mentors to help build healthy strong communities by
providing access to community resources and advocating for children to increase
school attendance and prevent or eliminate truancy related behavior problems.
Analysis: Funds will be used to pay for quality programming as well as
mentoring for juveniles.
Financial Considerations: These funds are appropriated from the Other Local
Option Sales Tax, Crime Prevention Program and do not require a match.
Recommendations/ Actions: Approve the resolution authorizing the City Manager
to enter into a one-year contract with Twin Cedars Inc. to provide funding for
mentoring and quality programming for juveniles.
A RESOLUTION
NO. _____
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A ONE-YEAR CONTRACT WITH TWIN CEDARS
INC. FOR $30,000.00 FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING THE INITIATIVES OF THE TRUANCY
INTERVENTION PROJECT.
WHEREAS, Twin Cedars Inc. has the Truancy Intervention Project to impact the
lives of juveniles to reduce the rate of truancy and,
WHEREAS, the Columbus Office of Crime Prevention has authorized funding under
the Crime Prevention Program for this project in the amount of $30,000.00 to
the Truancy Intervention Project.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
The City Manager is hereby authorized to enter into a one-year contract
through the Columbus Office of Crime Prevention with Twin Cedars Inc. for
$30,000.00 for funding the Truancy Intervention Project. Funds are budgeted in
the FY15 budget: Other Local Option Sales Tax, Crime Prevention Program.
___________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held
the 23rd day of June, 2015 and adopted at said meeting by the affirmative vote
of ____________ members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting________________.
Councilor Baker voting________________.
Councilor Barnes voting_______________.
Councilor Buck voting_____________.
Councilor Davis voting________________.
Councilor Henderson voting____________.
Councilor Huff voting_________________.
Councilor Pugh voting_________________.
Councilor Thomas voting______________.
Councilor Woodson voting_____________.
__________________________________ ______________________________________
TINY B. WASHINGTON TERESA
PIKE TOMLINSON
CLERK
MAYOR
Local Assistance Grant Agreement
Grant Program Name: Columbus Office of Crime Prevention
Fiscal Agent: Muscogee County
Administering Agency: Columbus Office of Crime Prevention
Grant Recipient: Twin Cedars Inc. ? T.I.P. (Truancy Intervention Project)
Grant Amount: $30,000.00
Budget: Personnel ? $20,100.00
Supplies - $2,800.00
Mileage - $3,000.00
Printing/Copying -$4,100.00
Total - $30,000.00
Program Contact Information
Name: Mike Angstadt Title: Executive Director
Address: 18th Ninth Street Suite 104, Columbus, GA 31901
Phone #: 706-327-9612
Project Description
The objective of this program is to reduce dropouts, juvenile delinquency and
crime rates among at risk students.
T.I.P. will recruit, train, supervise and pair local attorney and non-attorney
mentors to act as role models and to help children and families invest in the
value of education. By pairing trained mentors who are willing to donate their
time and skills with children and their families, TIP strives to decrease
absenteeism rates and provide families with the resources and services
necessary to ensure good attendance and success in school. TIP mentors also
serve as legal counsel in juvenile court proceedings and provide pro-bono legal
representation.
I, Mike Angstadt the duly authorized representative of the above named Grant
Recipient, do hereby agree to the following terms that outline the requirements
of Columbus, Georgia for organizations/agencies receiving funds from the
Columbus Office of Crime Prevention. I have been given the opportunity to ask
questions regarding these terms and fully understand my organization?s
obligations incurred by accepting this grant. I understand that prior to the
disbursements of any funds the following criteria must be met:
1. The above named Grant Recipient represents the beneficiaries of the Grant
and the above named individual is authorized to act in the name of Twin Cedars
Inc. the Grant Recipient.
2. The subject matter of this Agreement is primarily the provision of services
in the form of juvenile legal counseling and mentoring.
3. When reimbursement is sought, the name of the person providing the service
shall be provided along with the type of service provided. The Grant Recipient
shall immediately notify the Agency if any of their service providers are
arrested. At the time Grant Recipient learns that one of its service providers
has been arrested, then Grant Recipient shall cease to use such service
provider in connection with programs funded by this Grant.
4. In the initial report submitted to the Administering Agency, Grant Recipient
shall provide: (a) the names, telephone numbers and email addresses for the
advisory committee members in each county and a copy of the minutes, signed by
the chairman and the secretary, for each of their meetings; (b) the name of the
chairman and the secretary of the advisory committee; (d) the times and dates
that the Grant programs are available ? essentially a schedule of services; (e)
the number of participants in the program and schools they attend; (f)
Description of the process used to identify individuals for which services will
be provided; (h) provide specifics on the evaluation process that addresses
how the process will work, how the statistical data will be gathered, how it
will be analyzed.
5. All persons utilized by Grant Recipient who are to have contact with
juvenile participants must undergo federal criminal background checks prior to
the contact. Grant Recipient shall provide a list of the names of any persons,
whether paid or unpaid, who are to have contact with any program participants
and shall provide the results of the criminal background checks to the Agency
prior to any contact with program participants.
6. Grant Recipient shall provide to Agency a list of all Program participants.
The parent or guardian of each participant as well as the participant shall
sign an acknowledgement that any complaints about the Grant Recipient should be
made to ?Seth Brown, Director of Office of Crime Prevention, P.O. Box 1340,
Columbus, Georgia 31902-1340. The signed acknowledgement shall be submitted to
the Agency.
7. Grant Recipient shall provide an accounting system that shall separate Grant
Funds from other funds. The accounting system shall also separate Grant
related expenses from other expenses.
8. Grant Recipient shall submit to Agency a monthly report on the progress of
the programs. The quarterly report shall provide statistical data that
supports the projects goals of reducing school drop-outs, juvenile delinquency
and crime rates among juveniles.
9. Grant Recipient shall use Grant Funds strictly for the purposes outlined in
the Grant. Any changes to the programs must be submitted in writing to
Columbus Office of Crime Prevention for approval or the funding may be
jeopardized.
10. Grant Recipient shall identify the members of its Board of Directors which
will assume liability if the Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
determines the funds have been misused.
11. Monthly report must be submitted to Seth Brown electronically by the 10th
day of the month. Once the report is approved it will be submitted to the
Office of Crime Prevention Board for evaluation.
12. The Grant Recipient shall use generally accepted accounting principles
(?GAAP?) to account for all financial transactions used to substantiate the
fulfillment of this Grant.
13. The Grant Recipient shall maintain all records of Grant-related financial
transactions for a minimum of three years after the completion of the Grant and
to make all records available for inspection and fully cooperate with any audit
or investigation requested or undertaken by the Criminal Justice Coordinating
Council, the State Auditor, the Internal Auditor for Columbus, Georgia, or any
other officials of the state or federal government who have the authority to
conduct audits.
14. The Grant Recipient shall comply at all times with the provisions of
Article I, Section II, and Paragraph VII of the Georgia Constitution regarding
the prohibition against Sectarian Aid.
15. The Grant Recipient hereby releases Columbus, Georgia from any liability
whatsoever and Grant Recipient hereby agrees to indemnify Columbus, Georgia
against any and all claims for damages, bodily injury or death arising from any
of the activities contemplated by this Agreement raised by any person. Grant
Recipient shall provide to Columbus, Georgia a certificate of insurance that
shows general liability coverage in the amount of at least $1,000,000 per
occurrence and which shows that Columbus, Georgia is named as an additional
insured.
16. In the event there is any discrepancy in the language of the project
description and these numbered paragraphs, the language in the numbered
paragraphs shall control.
__________________________________________________________________________
Signature of City Manager, Isaiah Hugley Date
___________________________________________________________________________
Approved as to form by City
Attorney Date
__________________________________________________________________________
Signature of Grant Recipient Representative, Mike Angstadt
Date
- 15 -
Columbus Office of Crime Prevention
Crime Prevention Grant Program
Application Guidance Kit
Office of Crime Prevention
100 Tenth Street
3rd Floor, Government Center Tower
Columbus, Georgia 31901
(706) 225-4615
Mayor Teresa Tomlinson
Seth Brown, Director Office of Crime Prevention
Thank you for applying for the Crime Prevention Grant (CPG) from the Columbus
Office of Crime Prevention (COCP). COCP has established CPG to help agencies
and not for profit organizations to fight and prevent crime within our
communities. We invite agencies and not for profit organizations to submit
innovative applications that target specific areas of need. Your completed
application should illustrate your plan in meeting the mission of COCP ? to
make Columbus the safest city in America.
I hope our office becomes a valuable resource for your organization as we
strive to deliver our services in a customer friendly fashion. If you need
application assistance, contact Seth Brown at (706)-225-4615.
We look forward to working with you.
Sincerely,
Seth Brown
Director
Office of Crime Prevention
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Columbus Office of Crime Prevention (COCP) grant is to
provide ?seed money? for community or government based organizations to
initiate or continue grassroots crime prevention programs. COCP seeks
applicants with innovative ideas that enhance or improve public safety and/or
reduce or prevent crime in Muscogee County.
Funding Priorities
Highest priority will be given to request that are comprehensive in scope,
employ best practices, pursue long-term positive results, and have tangible
results capable of being benchmarked.
1) Programs that enhance crime prevention activities in geographic areas known
to have a higher incidence of crime than other parts of the county.
2) Programs that provide a direct crime prevention service to Muscogee County.
3) Programs that are aimed at reducing the juvenile crime rate or the juvenile
recidivism rate.
4) Programs that are aimed at reducing the recidivism rate of former
incarcerated individuals.
5) Programs that offer meaningful intervention services as a method of reducing
crime.
MANDATORY Applicant Criteria
1) The organization, (units of local government, public education institutions,
civic organizations or religious organizations), must be organized to serve
within the Muscogee County borders.
2) The organization must have its Board of Directors or voting membership vote
on and approve the grant application before submission.
3) The organization must show that it has the capacity and planning skills to
complete the project successfully.
4) All grant recipients must provide at least a cash match of 10% of project
cost.
5) The organization must have a committee of volunteers and/or staff in place
to carry out the project.
6) The grant application must include a detailed budget for the project.
7) The organization must have a 501c3 status and submit a copy of the IRS
letter or be a government agency of the CCG.
8) Application must be typed and not written.
9) You must turn in 10 copies, placed in a 3 ring binder, of the application
for the board to review.
10) You must email an electronic copy of all submitted material to
Sethbrown@columbusga.org.
What activities are not elligible for funding?
1) Request for general operating support or fund-raising events
2) Debt or deficit reduction
3) Political campaigns
4) Memorials or religious activities (faith-based organizations are encouraged
to apply for funding for projects that extend crime prevention services into
the community)
5) Grants to individuals
6) Grants for rent
7) Travel outside the Muscogee County area.
Application for Columbus Office of Crime Prevention Grant
A. Applicant
Name of Organization: Twin Cedars Youth and Family Services, Inc. -
Columbus Truancy Intervention Project (TIP)
Address: 18 9th Street, Suite 504, Columbus, Georgia 31901
CEO/Executive Director: Mike Angstadt
Contact Person/ Title: Desonuia Wise, TIP Coordinator
Telephone and email: 706-327-9612 ext 1503 Email Address:
dwise@twincedars.org
Has the applicant organization ever received a grant from COCP? ___X_
_Yes _____No
If yes, when was the grant made? 2013-2014 Was a final report
submitted?
__X___Yes _____No
B. Project
Project period (full life of project) On-going
Where, specifically, will it occur? Muscogee County Juvenile Court,
TIP Office, participant home, Muscogee County Schools, or other designated
locations.
Approximately how many people will benefit from the project? 20-25
student participants plus their family members and 20-25 mentors
How did you arrive at the above numbers? Based on past history of
participants, program capacity and expected referrals from Muscogee County
School District (MCSD)
When will funds be needed? November, 2014
Grant amount requested (must be no more than 90% of total project
expense) $35,000
Total project revenue and support (from line 3, pg. 6) $14,000
Total project expenses (from line 12, pg. 7) $49,000
C. Project Budget
Project Revenue and Support
1. Revenue
Admission/Ticket
income__________________________________________
Other
Revenue___________________________________________________
2. Support (indicate with * if already committed)
_____________________________
Corporate support $2,000*
Foundation support $1,000*
Other private support: United Way Grant
$10,000
Columbus Bar
Association $1,000
Government support
Federal_________________________________________________________
State___________________________________________________________
Other County agency
_____________________________________________
Organizations cash applied to
project___________________________________
3. TOTAL PROJECT REVENUE AND SUPPORT: $14, 000
Project expenses
4. Personnel (give as much detail as possible) TIP Coordinator, 20
hours per week. Requires a Bachelors Degree and a minimum of three years of
social services or case management experience, prefer some experience with
volunteer recruitment and management. Salary includes employee, payroll
benefits, taxes and insurance, and staff development.
Subtotal, Personnel $23,000
5. General and Administrative expenses: to Twin Cedars general and
administrative; finance, human resources, accreditation licensure, insurance,
audit, legal, etc.
Subtotal, Consultants and professional fees: $7,500
6. Supplies and equipment: Desktop computer with software, general
office supplies, training supplies, craft supplies and refreshments for mentor
events, file cabinet, participant incentives and awards, general maintenance,
recruitment activities, and training.
Subtotal, Supplies and equipment: $6,000
7. Travel (Itemize): Travel reimbursement for in-town mileage according
to federal policy for Home Visits, Home Assessments, meeting to coordinate
services, staffing, other program related travel and professional development,
conferences and meetings.
Subtotal, Travel: $3,000
8. Printing and copying: Shared expense of office
copier/printer/fax/scanner lease, paper, and toner for flyers, brochures,
recruitment materials, training materials, business cards and stationary,
participant and mentor charts. Supplies and materials for participants and
family, Muscogee County School District, Columbus Bar Association, and Juvenile
Court training and resource guide.
Subtotal, Printing and copying: $3,500
9. Marketing and publicity: $1,500 for registration fees at
business and volunteer fairs, networking and professional affiliations.
10. Mailing/postage: $500
11. Telephone/fax/internet: $4,000
Subtotal, Other: $35,000
12. TOTAL PROJECT EXPENSE: $49,000
Request from Crime Prevention Grant: $35,000
D. PROJECT SUMMARY/NARRATIVE
1. Organization: Briefly state the primary purpose of the organization
2. Background of the organization: Briefly describe when the organization was
started, number of members and any other helpful information.
3. Project description and objectives: Clearly state the project and
objectives.
4. Target group: Identify target groups for the project and how they will be
selected.
5. Expected outcome: List and explain the expected outcome of the project or
program.
6. Success: How will you assess the success of your program?
7. Participants: Are the participants required to do anything specific, (for
example, attend religious services/training or pay a fee), to participate? If
so, describe.
8. Significance: Why is your program significant to the community?
9. Administered: How will your project be administered? How is your
organization qualified and/or qualified to carry out this project?
10. References: Please include any reference letters or documents that you feel
would support your application for the grant.
E. CHECKLIST
Include one original signed copy of the application and all supplementary
materials. In addition include ten photocopies of the application and
supplementary material. Staple each copy packet together.
____ IRS letter certifying tax-exempt status, (exempt if a government agency of
the CCG)
____ Name and qualifications of people administering and/or participating in
the project
____ Board list, showing officers, professional titles and telephone numbers
____Annual Report if available
____Letters of agreement from collaborating organizations
____ Any other desired support material
AUTHORIZATION
All organizations receiving Columbus Funds will be required:
? To provide background checks at the expense of the applicant for those in
contact with juveniles.
? Provide reports on the progress of the program after 3 months, 6 months and
program?s end. The only exception to this will be if the program is seasonal
and then a schedule will be worked out to determine effectiveness of the
program.
By signing this application, we understand and agree to the terms included on
the application and certify that the information in the application is true and
accurate and that the undersigned is authorized to apply on behalf of the
applicant.
___________________________________________ ______________________
Signature of Authorizing Official Date
Name and Title of Authorizing Official (print/type) __Mike Angstadt, Executive
Director___
Daytime Telephone (706)298-0050 ext 1052____
___________________________________________ ______________________
Signature of Board President/Chair Date
Name and Title of Board President/Chair (print/type)___Frank Newman, Board
Chair______
Daytime Telephone (706)_298-0050____
D. PROJECT SUMMARY/NARRATIVE
1. Organization:
The mission of Twin Cedars Youth and Family Services, Inc. (Twin Cedars) is to
provide programs and services that empower children, youth, and families to
achieve their optimum potential. Our vision is to become the leading provider
of quality services for children, youth, and families within our communities.
The Columbus Truancy Intervention Project (TIP) is a division of Twin Cedars
Youth and Family Services, Inc. TIP serves Muscogee County through the
collaborative efforts of Twin Cedars, the Muscogee County School District
(MCSD), the Muscogee County Juvenile Court, and the Columbus Bar Association to
provide volunteer mentors to children who are involved in the juvenile court
system due to excessive absences from school. TIP is a community driven
volunteer mentoring program which assigns a trained mentor to a child and
his/her family who has demonstrated difficulty maintaining regular school
attendance. The mentor in conjunction with the support and expertise of the
TIP Coordinator conducts a family assessment to identify barriers to regular
attendance. Mentoring is a one-on-one supportive relationship between the
mentor, the child and the family that provides early, positive intervention for
unexcused absences. Children and families are more likely to respond to
assistance, support, and incentives in comparison to punitive legal actions.
2. Background of organization:
Twin Cedars is a private non-profit offering an array of services to children
and families in Georgia and East Alabama since 1993 when the Anne Elizabeth
Shepherd Home merged with the West Georgia Youth Council and the name was
changed to Twin Cedars. Currently, Twin Cedars has over 270 employees. Twin
Cedars specializes in residential care for adolescent boys and girls who have
experienced sexual trauma, abuse or behavioral issues. In 2001, we expanded
our scope to include Second Chance Homes and group homes. Our community needs
assessments revealed that many children and families are at-risk and in need of
services, but do not require residential services. Through consultation with
local stakeholders, environmental scans and strategic planning, we expanded our
community based programs to include: Child Advocacy Centers (CAC), Court
Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Columbus Truancy Intervention Project
(TIP), parenting, mental health, substance abuse and other preventative
programs to ensure the safety and protection of local youth.
TIP was organized in 2002 through the leadership of Judge Marc D?Antonio and
attorney Peter Daughtery who was the President of the Columbus Bar Association,
Inc. and the Young Lawyers division of the State Bar Association of Georgia.
As a new initiative, TIP was re-organized in 2011 under the umbrella of Twin
Cedars to provide their expertise in successfully implementing community based
social services programs which utilize volunteers and their ability to provide
model programs by means of strong case management skills and fiscal
management.
3. Project Description and Objectives:
TIP is a case management and coordination program that assesses the child and
family for the underlying causes of excessive school absences. Our strategy is
to identify barriers to regular school attendance and then link the child and
family to community resources specializing in those areas. These strategies
help to meet our goals of reducing the number of days children are absent from
school, reducing delinquency behaviors at school, and bettering the child?s
social, behavioral, and academic performance thus resulting in an overall
improvement in educational performance and behavior. The strategy is to
recruit, train, supervise, and pair local attorney and non-attorney mentors to
act as role models and to help children and families invest in the value of
education. Attorney mentors also provide pro-bono legal representation to
children and promote fair attainment of justice to the economically
disadvantaged and minority groups of children. Attorney mentors are expected
to go beyond courtroom representation and connect with the child and family.
All mentors provide a holistic approach to reach and connect one-to-one with
the child and family. The foundation of this relationship is based on trust
and mutual respect.
Primarily, our goals are to increase the number of children served and increase
the number of mentors who participate in TIP as well as plan and facilitate
activities for the mentor/child. The coordinator will assist the mentor in
assessing the child and family?s needs and develop a plan to eliminate
barriers. The Coordinator will also attend quarterly staff meetings with MCSD
social workers to assist in the identification, selection and referral of
children who may benefit from TIP. The Coordinator has monthly contact with
MCSD social workers who have referred children to TIP. The Coordinator pairs
children with a mentor who will coach and empower the parent with needed
community resources. Mentors will monitor attendance and discipline at school,
identify support staff at the child?s school and monitor behaviors at school
and home. Mentors will visit with the child an average of two hours per month
and engage in meaningful activities and events in which to provide incentives
or rewards for the child for his/her regular attendance at school. The
Coordinator will also act as a liaison between the child/family, school, court
and juvenile justice officers and is responsible for community outreach and
education in an effort to attract mentors. Community outreach plays a
significant role in the continuation of the program by being a tool for mentor
recruitment while, concurrently, helping the public to view truancy as a
community problem and to getting the community involved in providing a viable
solution to the problems truancy creates. The Columbus Bar Association will
serve as the Advisory Board to TIP and will conduct a direct mail campaign to
solicit financial support and fundraising from its members. The Columbus Bar
Association also provides training for attorneys and offer 15 Continuing Legal
Education (CLE) credits in an effort to attract attorneys. MCSD social workers
provide training on the attendance policy, school protocol, and the referral
process. The TIP Coordinator focuses on the job description, foundations of
mentoring, expectations, diversity, and setting healthy boundaries as well as
reviewing and providing a community resource guide.
The TIP Coordinator is also responsible for case management, assisting mentors,
and conducting background checks.
Twin Cedars is responsible for human resource management, fiscal management,
grant seeking, writing and management, fundraising, community outreach
including recruitment of mentors, maintaining charts, administrative tasks,
office space for the program and collecting statistics on the effectiveness of
the program for grant reporting purposes.
4. Target Group:
Our target population is elementary school age children who have at least ten
(10) unexcused absences and/or where the school is concerned about their
truancy related patterns from one school year to the next. Cases will be
staffed and presented by the Social Workers at MCSD. Services will be offered
to children and families who can benefit from TIP. Priority will be given to
students who have been referred to Juvenile Court by MCSD?s attorney for
truancy related charges. A client is both the individual child and the parent
or custodian. Participation in the TIP program will last up to one year or
when truancy is no longer a concern.
5. Expected Outcomes:
TIP will serve 15-25 children during the 2015-2016 school year. We will train
15-20 mentors to provide one-on-one supportive relationships with the
participants and their families. This positive, early intervention will reduce
excessive absences. Mentors will conduct family assessments to identify
barriers within the family system, and, in conjunction with the TIP
coordinator, develop a case plan to identify community resources which can
assist the family in alleviating obstacles to regular school attendance.
On-going communication and staffing with MCSD will monitor not only attendance
but also grades and classroom behavior. Through community outreach, we will
reach at least 250 community members in an effort to recruit non-attorney
mentors. With our recruitment efforts and the assistance of the Columbus Bar
Association, Inc., we will reach attorney mentors. TIP participants will
reduce the number of school absences and they will reduce delinquency behaviors
within the school year and subsequent years. Seventy percent (70%) of children
who complete TIP will not have a recurrence of a truancy status offense within
1 year of program completion.
6. Success:
We are expecting continued growth for TIP. Over the next year, the program
will be able to demonstrate the community?s need for integrated truancy
intervention services and demonstrate the achievement of successful outcomes.
TIP uses a number of resources to collect data: attendance records, progress
reports, Criterion Referenced Competency Test (CRCT)/Georgia Milestones (GM)
scores in reading and mathematics, and behavioral and disciplinary reports
received from the MCSD social workers on children currently enrolled in TIP.
The reports are condensed into an Excel spreadsheet and maintained in the
child?s computer and paper files for continuous tracking and monitoring.
Progress reports (academic reports) and CRCT/GM scores indicate whether
participation in the program is helping to improve grades and are indicators of
promotion to the next grade level. By increasing CRCT/GM scores in the areas
of math and reading, the potential of a child being promoted to the next grade
level strongly increases. Behavioral and disciplinary reports indicate whether
children enrolled in TIP will show improvement in social and behavioral
performance in school. Child referral forms are maintained in the office for 3
years after dismissal from the program to track any recurrence of truancy
within 1 year of program completion. The coordinator and /or mentor will
complete a Family Strengths and Needs/Services Assessment for each family that
enters the program. This assessment helps to identify needs and issues the
family may have in order to provide them with relevant community resources to
reduce barriers and obstacles for regular attendance. By resolving the issues
related to regular school attendance, TIP will better benefit the child?s
academic success.
The evaluation method used for measuring outcomes for TIP is based on that of
the Georgia Report Card system for recording and tracking grades, attendance,
CRCT/GM scores, and other pertinent statistical data for all Georgia school
districts. TIP is entering its 2nd year of using this method and it has proven
to be effective in measuring the outcomes and indicators quickly and
accurately. By doing so, any needed intervention can be mad immediately.
Month-to-month tracking allows TIP to see how each child is performing and aids
in the ability to reward the child for meeting individual academic,
disciplinary, social and behavioral goals throughout the program.
7. Participants:
There are no fees charged to the children or families who participate in TIP.
There are no fees assessed for attorney or non-attorney trainings. TIP incurs
the cost of notary fees and background checks required by MCSD for all mentor
volunteers. The Columbus Bar Association conducts Continuing Legal Education
(CLE) courses for credits which are offered to attorneys. These credits are
free if the attorney becomes a mentor volunteer. However, if an attorney
attends the training but does not become a mentor, he/she is required to pay
$50.00 for the credit fees. TIP provides all training materials and supplies
during training, program sponsored activities for both families and mentors,
and volunteer meetings.
8. Significance
TIP plays a significant role in the Columbus community for many reasons. The
most significant role is the one we play in addressing the link between
excessive school absences and the ever growing high school drop-out rate.
Yearly, Muscogee County reports hundreds of children absent on any given day
from school without proper excuse or with no excuse at all. The issue that
truancy poses is the direct link it has to other more serious delinquent
activities which often extend from youth into the adult years. Truancy can lead
to other serious problems such as illiteracy, early alcohol and drug use,
behavioral problems, gang activity, and eventually school failure. Truancy is
also a gateway to criminal activity such as vandalism, burglary, and theft.
With each school absence children can fall further behind in learning. The risk
of school failure and dropping out increases as the child reaches middle and
high school. As standardized test scores fall, the risk of failing graduation
tests or not meeting graduation requirements rises. As adults, people who were
frequently truant are much more likely to have poorer physical and mental
health, lower paying jobs, unemployment, and increased chances of living in
poverty and being reliant on government assistance. The recommendation of the
Governor?s Office of Student achievement is that children be absent no more
than 5 days in order to maximize the benefits of a quality education. In
Muscogee County, 35.1% of all elementary school aged children are absent 6-15
days (the State of Georgia Report Card, 2010-2011 reports). MCSD elementary
schools with the highest rates of absences and the most referrals to TIP are
Fox, Davis, Johnson, and Brewer which average an absentee rate of 35.3%. As
these cases are often not petitioned until the child has missed 20+ days of
school, the child is already in danger of failing that school year. In
Juvenile Court, truancy is considered to be a status offense as it is a crime
due to the age of the child but would not be illegal for someone older. Judges
have no effective way to enforce truancy laws and often have to resort to
charging the parent with educational neglect under Georgia Law 15-11-2(11)
where the child is determined to be dependent and a Child In Need of Services
(CHINS). As a community, finding effective ways to deal with truancy is
challenging and cannot be left entirely to one entity but must be a
comprehensive and coordinated effort among multiple community partners. TIP is
designed as a coordinated effort to address the core issues underlying truancy
and, simultaneously, offer concrete resources to assist the child and family in
restructuring themselves with positive role modeling and small rewards for
progress made.
9. Administered:
Due to a strong history and passion for working with children and families
while managing volunteers, TIP?s founding advisors invited Twin Cedars to
redevelop and manage the program. With similar missions and consistent goals
for building healthier generations of children and families, Twin Cedars was
chosen to serve as the new umbrella agency.
As the third oldest child serving agency in the state, the addition of TIP to
Twin Cedars? continuum of care is a natural fit. We successfully manage more
than 500 volunteers each year who make an immeasurable difference in the lives
of the children and families served. In Columbus, our Anne Elizabeth Shepherd
Home Auxiliary which consists of 85 volunteers, serve as mentors and role
models. Established 4 years ago, the CASA program has 70 highly skilled
volunteers who are serving 65% of children in foster care in Muscogee County.
Despite the fact that more than 150 social service providers in Georgia have
closed or merged with other agencies since 2006, Twin Cedars has demonstrated
the ability to remain financially stable during extremely challenging economic
times.
Twin Cedars is evaluated in a number of ways both internally and externally.
We maintain high standards as evidenced by yearly licensure from licensing
bodies and tri-annual accreditation visits from the Council on Accreditation.
Our internal Performance Quality Improvement (PQI) Department regulates
oversight of many aspects of the company including Management and Operational
Performance. Twin Cedars continues to meet the operational rigors developed by
accrediting bodies and state level licensing groups. Our most recent Georgia
Performance Based Contract which evaluates safety/permanency and well being
resulted in a score of 100 and 99 respectively. Twin Cedars has a contract
with EMSTAR Research, Inc., who provides program evaluation and data analysis
of our residential services. The three year analysis provides recidivism
results and outcomes for clients. Overall, Twin Cedars strives to exceed
standards and maintain the guidelines of more than 15 state and national
accrediting bodies.
TIP?s Part-Time Coordinator has experience in working with
underprivileged/underserved and dependent youth and their families. The
primary goal is to increase the number of children served and increase the
number of mentors who participate in TIP as well as plan and facilitate
activities for the mentor and child. The Coordinator will assist the mentor in
assessing the child and family?s needs and develop a plan to eliminate
barriers. The coordinator will also attend quarterly staff meetings with MCSD
social workers to assist in the identification, selection and referral of
children who may benefit from TIP. The Coordinator has monthly contact with
MCSD social workers who have referred children to TIP. The Coordinator pairs
children with a mentor who will coach and empower the parent in the value of
education and provide the parent with needed community resources. Mentors will
monitor attendance and discipline at school, identify support staff at the
child?s school and monitor the child?s behavior at school and home. Mentors
will visit with the child an average of two hours per month and engage in
meaningful activities and events to provide incentives or rewards for the child
for his/her regular school attendance. The Coordinator will also act as a
liaison between the child/family, school, court and juvenile justice officers
and is responsible for community outreach and education in an effort to attract
mentors. The purpose of community outreach is to recruit mentors and help the
public view truancy as a community problem and to get them involved in
providing a viable solution. The Columbus Bar Association will serve as the
Advisory Board to TIP and will conduct a Direct Mail Campaign to solicit
financial support and fundraising from its members.
10. References:
Letter of support from the Columbus Bar Association, Inc.
Letter of support from the Juvenile Court of the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit
Judge Warner L. Kennon, Sr. Presiding Judge
TIP Logic Model
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