| FLORIDA AMER-I-CAN PROJECTS
During a regular school year, approximately September 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008, Amer-I-Can will provide Life Management Skills Training and Aftercare services for 640 at a total of 4 high schools and 4 middle schools in high crime and gang activity areas. The 60-90 hour training curriculum will focus on eight areas: (1) Motivation, Habits and Attitudes, (2) Goal Setting; (3) Problem Solving and Decision Making; (4) Emotional Control; (5) Family Relationships; (6) Financial Stability, (7) Effective Communications; and (8) Employment Search and Retention. Trained facilitators, selected from the local areas will be assigned at each participating school and will train 80 students during the school year (40 per semester). Utilizing a Case Management System, the facilitators will monitor the trainee�s progress and will assist with linking them to appropriate community resources based upon the trainees� individual needs. Performance measures will be in place to evaluate the trainees� rate of improvement in life management skills, academic performance, absences and disciplinary incidents. The trainees� goals will be reviewed periodically to determine their percentage of accomplishments. Home visitations will be a regular part of the facilitators� duties.
In addition, Amer-I-Can will establish Peace Squads in each of the targeted areas, led by former local gang members or community residents with experience in dealing with gang and at risk youth with the goal of helping to reduce gang violence in the high crime target areas. The Peace Squad Leaders will provide Amer-I-Can Life Management Skills Training to a total of 160 neighborhood youth and will assist them in avoiding or transitioning away from illegal gang activity. The Peace Squads will focus on reaching gang members, school drop outs, court referrals and other at-risk youth. In advance of the Peace Squad Communities Project, Amer-I-Can Gang Intervention and Prevention Specialists may be assigned to penetrate the targeted areas to identify key individuals as potential Peace Squad Leaders that will provide unique leadership influence and a positive impact upon at-risk youth. The Gang Intervention and Prevention Specialists will consult with the community and assess the needs of the youth and what actions is necessary to assist the local residents to help reduce violence and create safer communities. Each squad will consist of approximately 20 youth. The squad leaders will document the progress of the participating youth. The Peace Squad leaders will refer the youth to needed community resources.
Cost: 1 million ($1,250 per trainee)
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
During the school- year, the Amer-I-Can Program will provide sixteen (16)-eighteen-week (length of a semester) Life Management Skills Training courses and aftercare services at 8 public schools in Florida. Each course will contain 20 students. A total of 640 students will participate in program. The schools will be in high crime and gang activity areas. The participating schools will be determined after consultation with the Florida Governors office, legislative members, the Department of Juvenile Justice, local school superintendents and law enforcement agencies.
The Amer-I-Can Program President, Dean Renfrow will be responsible for setting up the project and overseeing its operation. An manager will be appointed that will be responsible for supervising day to day operations. Facilitators will be selected from each local area based upon the recommendation of the school principal. The facilitators from all the schools will undergo 32-40 hours Facilitator Training by Amer-I-Can staff. The facilitators will be assigned full time at each school. Each facilitator will provide 60-90 hours Life Management Skills Training and evaluation services to 80 students during each school year (40 students per semester). Classes will be on days and times determined by the school principal, excluding holidays and other school closures. The number of classes conducted by each facilitator per day will depend upon the number of students enrolled therein. The facilitators will attend school staff meetings upon request and will assist the facility staff with activities and functions designated by the school administration in furtherance of the school�s mission. The facilitators�, in addition to preparing for and administering the program, will assist the school officials with making trainee contacts before and after the Amer-I-Can classes including home visitations when necessary.
The facilitators will coordinate closely with the other facilitators, peace squad leaders counselors, teachers, and on site assigned police and/or security officers to provide the trainees� assistance in meeting their academic goals, improving their chances of success and creating a safe learning environment. In coordination with school officials, the facilitators will also assist in connecting the trainees to community resources, i.e. drug and alcohol treatment, employment, housing, mental health, transportation agencies, employers and others to help meet the individual needs and care of the trainees. The facilitators will be expected to comply with all other requirements performed by staff at the schools as outlined in the schools rules and regulations.
Prior to the training, the facilitators will assist school staff in screening and evaluating potential trainees for the Amer-I-Can curriculum. Amer-I-Can will furnish the evaluation instruments and interpretation services to define baseline data for each trainee. The identity and final selection of the participating trainees will be determined by the school administration.
The Amer-I-Can Manager will oversee operations at the school locations, associated aftercare activities and linkages to community resource needs of the students and will be accountable for the timely collection, evaluation and submission of required data pertinent for reporting program performance and outcomes.
The facilitators will monitor the trainee�s progress and will assist with linking them to appropriate community resources. Performance measures will be in place to evaluate the trainees� rate of improvement in life management skills, academic performance, absences, disciplinary incidents, job attainment, counseling, vocational and educational opportunities. The trainees� goals will be reviewed periodically to determine the percentage of accomplishments.
The Schools will be requested to provide classroom space, file cabinet, telephone, access to and use of library materials, television, VCR, photo-copier, computer with internet access for data collection reporting and other facility owned equipment to assist Amer-I-Can classroom activities. All other costs associated with the program will be the responsibility of Amer-I-Can.
Eight (8) Peace Squads will be established strategically in neighborhoods near the participating schools.This will follow the possible assignment of Amer-I-Can Gang Interventionists will be dispatched to the targeted areas to help determine the extent of illegal gang activity and identify former and current gang leaders that are willing to be a positive influence upon youth in their neighborhoods. The goal will be to provide Amer-I-Can Life Management Skills Training to select gang leaders or local residents with experience dealing with gangs or at risk youth, who in turn will provide training, mentoring and after care activities to at risk youth, resulting in a reduction of gang related criminal activity and safer neighborhoods. Some of the activities will be neighborhood cleanup (graffiti removal), patrol areas around the schools to reduce conflicts and promote peace and safety, coordinate with school security staff, attend neighborhood meetings regarding gang and security issues and maintain contact with gang members and other at risk youth in an effort to reduce violence and reinforce the values, concepts and goals of the Amer-I-Can Program. Squad leaders will refer the youth to community resources based upon the individual needs. Each peace squad would be composed of a squad leader and approximately 20 squad members. Eight part time Peace Squad Leaders and a total of 160 youth would be involved in the project.
The Peace Squad Leaders would be required to submit monthly reports detailing the activities of the peace squads.
PROGRAM EVALUATION
Case Management files will be maintained on each trainee that will include: the screening assessment, baseline profile, daily progress notes, weekly chapter test scores, attendance data, after care notes and other pertinent information. The facilitators will submit monthly reports detailing the progress of the trainees.
Amer-I-Can will prepare and submit Mid Year and Final Evaluation Reports to the Florida Legislature, Department of Juvenile Justice and the participating school districts concerning the effectiveness of the program and progress of the trainees. Amer-I-Can will use an electronic data collection system to collect information pertinent to the program performance measures and outcomes.
EVALUATION PLANS, OUTCOMES, AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROGRAM
Objective 1 -The Amer-I-Can facilitators will coordinate with school officials to improve trainees� grades, attendance and to reduce incidents of negative (delinquent) behavior at the facility.
Methods: School officials will summarize and share with the Amer-I-Can facilitator for each trainee selected baseline data in advance of enrollment. The information shall include grade points averages (GPA), attendance and incidences of documented negative behavior at the facility. Grades will be calculated as follows for all classes taken by the trainees: A+ = 4.5, A = 4.0, A- = 3.75, B+ = 3.5, B = 3.0, B- = 2.75, C+ = 2.50, C = 2.0, C- = 1.75, D + = 1.50, D = 1.0, D- =.75, F = 0. P (pass) = 2.0 W/D (withdrawn) = not calculated, I (Incomplete) = Not calculated. These point values are assigned to all classes. Grades used at the last quarter (9 weeks) before the training compared to the last quarter (9 weeks) of the Amer-I-Can training period. Attendance is recorded as number of days absent the semester (two 9 week quarters) immediately before the training compared to the semester (two 9 weeks quarters) in which the Amer-I-Can training occurred. The number of documented disciplinary incidents during the semester (two 9 week quarters) immediately before the Amer-I-Can training period will be compared to the semester (two 9 week quarters) the Amer-I-Can training occurred. The results will be published in Amer-I-Can Mid Year and Final Reports absent the names of the trainees.
Measures: Compare rate of individual and collective trainees� GPA�s, attendance and number of disciplinary incidents before the Amer-I-Can training to the end of the Amer-I-Can training period to determine progress made.
Objective 2 - Facilitate, evaluate and document trainee�s mastery and understanding of the Amer-I-Can Curriculum.
Methods: Trainees will utilize course materials and cassette tapes designed to assist in the development of individual life management skills, described in the eight (8) critical areas previously described. The trainees� will be monitored and documented on a daily basis by trained facilitators. The trainees will be administered tests on the material learned at the conclusion of each curriculum chapter. A score of 70% will be required as a passing grade. The facilitators will work with the trainees to help identify their individual life management needs.
Measures: Review of individual and group curriculum test scores, Personal Growth Surveys, GPA, and the rate of disciplinary incidents for overall improvement to determine the level of mastery and understanding of the curriculum.
Objective 3 - Require trainees to demonstrate competence and confidence in assessing life management resources such as counseling, vocational and educational opportunities.
Methods: The facilitators will work with the trainees to assist them in identifying their own individual life management needs. Each participant will be assisted in developing an individual Life Management Plan consisting of personalized long range, medium range and short range goals and objectives with appropriate established time lines for successful completion. The facilitators will regularly review the Life Management Plans with each of the trainees to determine the progress made in reaching their goals and objectives.
Measure: Observe and document a demonstrated ability by the trainees to proactively seek resources and achieve individual goals and objectives within the context of individualized Life Management Plans that will assist the trainees in achieving their goals/objectives and advance them toward a successful life style.
Objective 4-Increase all trainees (students and peace squad members) overall performance in applying Life Management Skills to their lives.
Methods: The trainees will receive 60 hours Life Management Skills training during the Amer-I-Can course. They will learn how to apply to their lives the eight (8) critical Life Skills (Motivation, Habits, Attitudes and Conditioning; Goal Setting; Problem Solving, Decision Making; Emotional Control; Family Relationships; Financial Stability; Effective Communication and Employment Search and Retention).
Measures: Conduct survey questionnaires of the trainees, facilitators and school staff rating the trainees before and after the training in the eight (8) critical Life Management Skills (1 Poor, 2 Fair, 3 Good, 4 Excellent, and 5 Superior) to determine the rate of improvement or non-improvement.
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