GREATER KC LINC INC

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROTECTING CHILDREN AND YOUTH: LINC IS ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN ADDRESSING COMMUNITY CHILD AND ADOLESCENT ISSUES. THE PROGRAMS IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR (AND EXTEND SERVICES TO) AT-RISK FAMILIES, PARTICULARLY THOSE AT RISK FOR CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT AND THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH THE JUVENILE COURT SYSTEM. EMPHASIS IS PUT ON ENHANCING COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND TRAINING AND DEVELOPING DATA SYSTEMS TO SUPPORT BETTER SERVICE DELIVERY BY THE STATE CHILD WELFARE AGENCY. THESE EFFORTS ALSO INCLUDE: 1. COORDINATING A REGIONAL EFFORT TO WORK WITH TEENAGE CHILDREN LEAVING THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM SO THEY ARE SUCCESSFUL IN MOVING TOWARDS AN INDEPENDENT AND PRODUCTIVE ADULTHOOD. 2. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY EDUCATION PROGRAM (PREP) PROVIDES TRAINING FOR YOUTH ON MAKING SAFE CHOICES. 3. FINANCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT FOR THREE REGIONAL ADOPTION RESOURCE CENTERS LOCATED IN MISSOURI. 4. MENTORING SERVICES TO ASSIST YOUTH WHO FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS MAY BENEFIT FROM ADDITIONAL ROLE MODELS IN THEIR LIVES. 5. STAFFING AND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH SERVICES' STAR SCHOOL - AN ONLINE VIRTUAL SCHOOL WHICH DELIVERS A UNIQUE EDUCATIONAL APPROACH WITH SUPPORTS DESIGNED FOR AT-RISK YOUTH. HEALTH INITIATIVES: THESE PROGRAMS IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR (AND EXTEND SERVICES TO) AT-RISK, UNDERSERVED YOUTHS AND THEIR FAMILIES, PARTICULARLY THOSE WITHOUT READY ACCESS TO HEALTH SERVICES AND/OR INSURANCE. OFTEN THESE PROGRAMS ARE DRIVEN BY CONCERNED CITIZENS STRIVING TO IMPROVE HEALTH CONDITIONS IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS, WITH LINC PROVIDING THE INFRASTRUCTURE ENABLE THEM TO MOVE FORWARD ON THEIR VISION.

CARING COMMUNITIES HELPING STUDENTS, PARENTS AND NEIGHBORS: LINC PROVIDES SUPPORT SERVICES FOR SCHOOLS AND NEIGHBORHOODS IN MULTIPLE SCHOOL DISTRICTS. MAJOR EFFORTS INCLUDE BUILDING COMMUNITY SCHOOLS, OPERATING BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS IN AREA DISTRICTS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS, IMPLEMENTING FEDERAL 21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER GRANTS, AND OPERATING THE AREA'S COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE. OTHER SMALLER, SIMILAR PROGRAMS ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THE CATEGORY. IN TOTAL, AS OF JUNE 30, 2024, THERE WERE 52 CARING COMMUNITY SITES ACROSS SEVEN SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHICH INCLUDE TWO CHARTER SCHOOLS AND ONE COMMUNITY CENTER. LINC OFFERS SUPPORTS FOR STUDENTS, FAMILIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS THROUGH THE CARING COMMUNITIES' SYSTEM. THESE SUPPORTS INCLUDE HELP WITH HOUSING, UTILITIES, COMMUNITY HEALTH, FOOD INSECURITY, EDUCATION AND OTHER COMMUNITY IDENTIFIED NEEDS. BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE IS ONE PROGRAMMING COMPONENT FOR MANY CARING COMMUNITIES' LOCATIONS. CURRENTLY, 45 SCHOOL SITES OFFER LINC-FACILITATED BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES. THESE PROGRAMS OPERATE EVERY DAY SCHOOL IS IN SESSION DURING THE REGULAR SCHOOL YEAR, WITH SUMMER PROGRAMMING HISTORICALLY OFFERED AT A REDUCED NUMBER OF SITES. IN ALL CASES, LINC STRIVES TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THE COMMUNITIES, DISTRICTS, AND INDIVIDUAL YOUTH AND FAMILIES TO ENSURE EACH SITE'S PROGRAMMING IS SUPPORTIVE OF THAT NEIGHBORHOOD'S UNIQUE NEEDS AND GOALS.