'Family Services Schools' Pilot Programs to Support Families

September 19, 2008

On September 15, Jackson Elementary School faculty and staff skipped Monday night football in favor of launching a series of Monday evening educational meetings for Jackson families in need.

Jackson parents and students were met at the students’ usual bus stops by Jackson staff members and were transported to Frankford Middle School by bus. Greeting families at Frankford were additional Jackson staff members who brought refreshments.

A Jackson Elementary School family is greeted by Principal Kris Benson. Families were transported to the first in a series of programs to be hosted by the Jackson faculty and staff.

The Jackson staff and other local community resource representatives spent the evening sharing information with families about a host of community services.

Jackson’s meeting served as the first of its kind for a district-wide effort to support what Dr. Cathy Galloway, executive director of student and family services, calls “Family Services Schools.”

The three pilot campuses are Jackson, Meadows and Sigler elementary schools. Meadows and Sigler will launch similar programs at their campuses in October.

Nancy Dansby with CHIPS (Children’s Health Insurance Program) assisted the Sauz family, including baby Adoth, while the Rodriguez family waited its turn to learn more about the CHIPS program.

Mark Allen, student and family services director, said that Jackson Principal Kris Benson chose to first “meet the parents where they live.” Thus, the school bus met families at their students' bus stops and transported them to Frankford Middle School.

More than 100 family members attended this first meeting, including 52 parents, reported Ms. Benson, who said, “The parents were thrilled to have their questions answered, learn about community resources and to be asked about their needs. Many children came up to us the next day and said they ‘loved last night at school’.”

Parents expressed a variety of needs, including assistance with English, family nutrition, computer skills, how to get around on DART, survivor skills (ex. how to open a checking account) and where the closest library is located. “We are thrilled that they expressed their needs, and we are fast at work in making plans to meet those needs,” said Ms. Benson. “Our entire staff is dedicated to making all of our families feel they are an integral part of the Jackson community.”

Jackson Counselor Laura Fix shared information about community services with families, while Jackson Bilingual Teacher Mercedes Tran (foreground) translated the presentation into Spanish for participants

Jackson Elementary School faculty and staff greeted families attending the September 15 kick-off program. Pictured are students Steven and Adrian West with mom Maria (front, right) and Jackson staff (l-r) Patricia Hempstead, Eunice Lee, Kris Benson, Robyn Pitcock, Clarice Sayles, Barbara Kuwitzky and Sarah Liebel; and Student and Family Services Director Mark Allen and Executive Director Dr. Cathy Galloway.