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Grand Forks Center Extends School DayGrand Forks, ND--Regular communication and creative partnerships will support an afterschool program in the Continental Homes Learning Center--one of two Neighborhood Networks centers managed by the Grand Forks Housing Authority for Grand Forks Homes, Inc., a nonprofit formed by local churches.The 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) program is a federal grant for afterschool programs. When the U.S. Department of Education recently shifted the administration of this program to the states, not all schools that had received funds could meet new eligibility requirements. In Grand Forks, Viking Elementary School exceeded income limits, and the adjacent rural Emerado School District was too small to meet North Dakota's requirements. However, the housing authority and the schools came up with a creative solution that resulted in funding for the Continental Homes program and restored funding for Emerado's afterschool program.
Creative Partnerships The three partners prepared and submitted a combined application for an afterschool program. The afterschool program in the Neighborhood Networks center at Continental Homes would become an ENCORE site. The children living at these apartments attend Viking. Although the school itself exceeds income criteria, the children living at Continental Homes and in the surrounding neighborhood, meet the income requirements for the grant. Similarly, by joining with Grand Forks, the Emerado district reached the required population size for applicants. The partners' application strategy worked, and they received a 5-year grant that begins with the 2003-04 school year.
Educational Enrichment �Last year the children who participated in our ENCORE programs showed significant improvement in math and reading,� adds Moon. The housing authority and Grand Forks Homes will also contribute to the ENCORE program by providing space at Continental's Neighborhood Networks center, the computers and computer instructors, Internet access, and snacks.
Partnership Strategies
Knudsvig also credits Deanna Beaudoin, HUD Regional Neighborhood Networks Coordinator, for encouraging housing authorities to �carry out the goals of Neighborhood Networks--to connect low-income folks to technology and resources.� For more information about Neighborhood Networks centers in North Dakota, contact:
Joel Manske For more information about Grand Forks Neighborhood Networks centers, contact:
Craig Knudsvig
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Content Archived: September 9, 2011 | |
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