A CHILD'S PLACE OF CHARLOTTE INC

A CHILD'S PLACE IS THE ONLY NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION IN CHARLOTTE FOCUSED SPECIFICALLY ON THE SUCCESS OF CHILDREN WHOSE FAMILIES ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, MOST OFTEN SUFFERING IN GENERATIONAL POVERTY. A CHILD'S PLACE PROGRAM MODEL STRENGTHENS OUR IMPACT IN THE SCHOOL AND EXTENDS OUR REACH INTO THE COMMUNITY. ACP'S TWO-GENERATION, HOLISTIC SUPPORT IS OFFERED THROUGH: (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)1)SCHOOL-BASED SERVICES AT CMS SITES. IN EACH OF OUR PARTNER SCHOOLS, ACP DEPLOYS A TEAM OF EXPERTS THAT HELP FAMILIES NAVIGATE COMMUNITY RESOURCES; ELIMINATE BARRIERS TO THE STUDENT'S EDUCATION (FOOD, TRANSPORTATION, PHYSICAL/EMOTIONAL HEALTH ISSUES); THIS INCLUDES CREATING AN INDIVIDUALIZED CASE PLAN THAT SUPPORTS THE CHILD'S CONTINUED FOCUS ON EDUCATION SO THAT OUR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES DISCOVER THE POWER OF EDUCATION TO IMPROVE THEIR LIVES. STABILIZE THE FAMILY AT THE POINT OF CRISIS BY ASSESSING, DEVELOPING GOALS, MONITORING PROGRESS AND CONNECTING TO STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AS THEY RESOLVE ISSUES THAT LED TO THE HOMELESS CRISIS.2)COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES ACROSS MECKLENBURG COUNTY. THE COMMUNITY RESPONSE TEAM (CRT) ALLOWS ACP TO REACH ADDITIONAL TITLE I SCHOOLS. WHEN CONTACTED BY A MCKINNEY VENTO LIAISON, A CRT STUDENT ADVOCATE RESPONDS, ASSESSES THE FAMILY'S SITUATION, PROVIDES FOR IMMEDIATE NEEDS TO BOTH CHILD AND PARENT, AND MAKES VITAL REFERRALS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES THAT LED TO THE HOUSING CRISIS. THE CRT PROVIDES SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING SERVICES, OF WHICH ACP WILL EXPAND PROGRAMMING TO OFFER WRAP-AROUND SUPPORT FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN AND FAMILIES OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL, FOCUSING ON SOCIO-EMOTIONAL HEALTH, LONG-TERM STABILITY, AND HOUSING. ACP WORKS AGGRESSIVELY TO MEET BASIC NEEDS, HELP STABILIZE THE FAMILY, AND WORK TOWARD PROGRESS AROUND ATTENDANCE, POSITIVE BEHAVIORS AND IMPROVED FAMILY ENGAGEMENT AT THE POINT OF THEIR CRISIS. BY SUPPORTING STUDENTS WITH TRANSPORTATION ISSUES, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL, AND PHYSICAL HEALTH ISSUES, SCHOOL SUPPLIES, UNIFORMS, FOOD, AND MANY OTHER CHALLENGES, STAFF ELIMINATE BARRIERS THAT IMPEDE THE ABILITY OF CHILDREN IN HOMELESSNESS TO BE PRESENT AND ENGAGED AT SCHOOL. FOCUSING EFFORTS TO ENSURE A CHILD IN CRISIS IS PREPARED AND IN SCHOOL IS THE CRITICAL FOUNDATION THAT CAN LEAD TO LONG-TERM ACADEMIC GAINS, WHICH CAN ULTIMATELY POSITIVELY IMPACT THE TRAJECTORY OF THAT CHILD'S LIFE FOREVER. ADDITIONALLY STAFF MAKE COUNTLESS REFERRALS, SERVING AS A VITAL CONNECTOR TO THOSE ORGANIZATIONS AND AGENCIES WITH THE EXPERTISE AND CAPACITY TO ADDRESS ROOT CAUSES OF HOMELESSNESS.DURING THE 2018-19 SCHOOL YEAR, A CHILD'S PLACE SERVED 1,751 CLIENTS. DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE CLIENTS SERVED INCLUDE, 92% AFRICAN AMERICAN, PRIMARILY LED BY SINGLE, FEMALE HEADS-OF-HOUSEHOLD, AND 100% OF CLIENTS REPORTED AN INCOME BELOW THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL.