Kent County Public Schools received two Concentration of Poverty Grants in the amount of $497,666.00 on behalf of Henry Highland Garnet Elementary School (HHGES) and Rock Hall Elementary School (RHES).
Funding is received at the district level but disbursed directly to the schools. Specifically, the funding is distributed in the following ways:
• Community School Coordinators – The Blueprint funds the salaries and benefits for the coordinators assigned to each school.
• Health Care Practitioners – Salary and fringe benefits for a registered nurse (RN) were allocated to each school and are paid for by the grant. HHGES has a nurse at this time. RHES is still trying to recruit a RN to their school.
• Wraparound Services – Services and other programs will be specifically identified based on each school's completed needs assessment. Some services may include: dental and doctor visits, crisis outreach, mental health, aftercare programs, parenting, and family counseling.
• Mental Health Support – Each community school has a full-time social worker and guidance counselor. These positions are funded by KCPS.
Both HHGES and RHES are conducting focus groups with community members to determine what resources are needed in their respective school communities. The completed needs assessments are due to the Maryland State Department of Education by June 2022.