San Fernando Valley Full-Service Community Schools Program

The San Fernando Valley Full-Service Community Schools (FSCS) Program targets the Northeast neighborhoods and schools of the Valley where YPI has assisted families for the past nine years. Predominantly Latino and low-income, families attending the targeted Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), charter, and pilot schools partnering with YPI will access a broad range of leveraged programs and services offered by YPI and partners. The FSCS program is part of YPI's saturation services model and will link with the following YPI programs to support FSCS families in the neighborhood: Los Angeles Promise Neighborhood, the Carol M. White Physical Education Program, Public Computer Centers, afterschool programs, AmeriCorps, and charter and pilot schools for families.

Targets

• 35% of the students at target schools in Year 1 will enroll and receive a service plan during the first six months of implementation (after planning). This will rise to 55% by Year 5.
• 20% of families will have at least one additional family member access services in Year 1, a percentage that will rise to 40% in Year 5.
• The FSCS program will serve 1,359 students and family members in Year 1 (six month period after planning), while rising to 4,692 students and family members in Year 5.

Schools and Partners

Schools and partners working with the Youth Policy Institute in the program include the following:

• Bert Corona Charter School
• Vaughn Next Century Learning Center
• Pacoima Charter Elementary School
• Charles Maclay Middle School
• San Fernando Institute for Applied Media (SFiAM) Pilot School
• Meet Each Need with Dignity (MEND)
• Northeast Valley Health Corporation
• UCLA- Community Based Learning
• The Unusual Suspects
• Friends of the Family

Services and Programs

• Early Childhood Education—coordination with existing early childhood programs, as well as PSI and SRLDP services, and a ‘Read With Me’ program. Referral to and enrollment in early childhood programs in the Valley. Infant & Toddler parent and child literacy programs provided by Friends of the Family.

• Remedial education and academic enrichment services—coordination with Intersession and Saturday classes, English Learner Program, Super Kids Read, Success for All program, High Achievers Club, Alphie’s Alley (tutoring). Out of School tutoring and enrichment program offered from 7–8 a.m. and 3–7 p.m. Monday through Friday in coordination with YPI and LA’s Best programs and FSCS partners. College support services through TRIO, UCLA, and YPI’s GEAR UP.

• Parental and family involvement—Parent Advisory Program. Parents as Leaders, Parents as Tutors programs, Parent Academy, Family Support Team Intervention, Parent Leadership Advisory Council, and YPI’s Family Technology Project.

• Mentoring and youth development—coordination with afterschool programs. The Mentoring Program offered by partner YPI helps students to learn about higher education and receive assistance in applying to college.

• Activities that improve access to and use of social services. Programs for Earned Income Tax Credit, financial literacy, linkages to City of Los Angeles 311 social services. Housing, utilities support through case management.

• Community service and service learning. The Bert Corona AmeriCorps program will create an Afterschool Service Club at each school. Students will select one large scale service project each year related to César E. Chávez Day and other National and State Days of Service. Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Acorns to Acorns.

• Assistance for students who have been truant, suspended, or expelled—coordination with existing school resources. The prevention program/gang intervention program of Communities in Schools is a life-skills building program for “at-risk” and gang involved youth. CIS GRYD gang prevention services. Workshops sessions, leadership skills, Coping Skills, Alcohol and Drugs, Know Your Rights, HIV/STD’s, Education and Social Culture Awareness.

• Job training and career counseling—recruitment for YPI job training programs in health careers and preschool through existing ongoing funding.

• Nutrition Services. Healthy Families and Carol White program at each site. Schools will commit to food purchasing and preparation practices to reduce fat content, and will promote healthy cafeteria selections. Nutrition education will include information and coursework on the Food Pyramid, Nutrients and Food Groups, Healthy Snacks and Advertising and Food Choices.

• Primary health and dental care—coordination with programs for dental and vision services, while providing support through partners such as MEND.

• Mental health, counseling, and substance abuse—Coordination with school programs, with partner services.

• Adult education—coordination with LAUSD Adult Education Centers, ESL/GED classes provided at target schools from 6–9 p.m. (M–F).