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SALT LAKE CITY — Kearns Junior High School doesn't just provide an education; it serves the community.
"We are right here," said Belkis Villa, the family resource coordinator. "We refer local resources, provide clothing, computer classes, offer day care and after-school programs, support mobile clinics and more."
Kearns Junior High is a community school, one that works to provide wraparound services to its students and their families.
Senate Bill 67, sponsored by Sen. Ann Millner and Rep. Rebecca Edwards, aims to create more community schools like Kearns Junior High.
"What this bill does is let us provide wraparound services to meet the needs of at-risk children in the state," said Millner. "We know from the International Welfare Reform Commission and others that children who are experiencing intergenerational poverty aren't just experiencing economic hardships, but other barriers."
SB 67 hopes to break down those barriers through a $5 million ongoing grant program that would be evaluated by a third party each year. The bill is headed to the House and, if passed, it would serve about a third of the schools across the state that would qualify for the program, Millner said.
Both Utah Education Association and Voices for Utah Children support the bill. UEA's Director of Communications Mike Kelley said the group believes "that the wraparound services which would be included in this bill would be a great way to increase student achievement."
Acting superintendent Sydney Dickson said the State Office of Education is "passionate about trying to end intergenerational poverty," which SB 67 tries to do by using wraparound services.
Millner emphasized, "This is not your typical collaboration. This requires partners to develop a shared vision and goals for what they want to accomplish with the students in their schools. They are communication, collaborating and working together with the staff."
To learn more about SB 67, "Partnerships for Student Success," visit http://le.utah.gov/~2016/bills/static/SB0067.html
Carrie Rogers-Whitehead can be reached at rogers-whitehead@hotmail.com
