Murray FRYSC Awarded $100,000-Kentucky Family Resource and Youth Services Centers-GEER II Funding Grant

 

 

Murray FRYSC Awarded $100,000 –Kentucky Family Resource and Youth Services Centers-GEER II Funding Grant

Murray, Ky., -------The Murray Independent School Districts, Murray Family Resource Youth Service Center (FRYSC) is one of approximately 150 Kentucky FRYSC centers who received a $100,000 grant, through the Governor's Emergency Education Relief (GEER) fund.   The grant provides states with emergency assistance as a result of the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The grant proposal guidelines asked centers to submit applications for programs focused in three areas:  Early Childhood Education, Childcare, and Family Crisis & Mental Health Counselling. 

Morgan Carman, Murray Family Resource Youth Service Center (FRYSC) director, said the core of Murray's funding is focused on Early Childhood Educating and Family Crisis & Mental Health Counseling. Awarded funding will support the (It’s All Relative support group), (the early learning Super Hero Spring festival), (the Satchel Pulse Social Emotional Learning (SEL) program), and provide Calming kits and areas for all K-5 classrooms and guidance offices at MES and MMS.  Additionally, early learning Positive Behaviors in Schools (PBIS) training to all Murray Head Start and preschool staff, as well as employing a consultant to assist head start and preschool implement PBIS throughout the 21-22 and 22-23 school year, are additions to the Murray Independent School District (MISD).

Through the (It’s All Relative support group) grandparents and other non-biological family members helping raise students in the MISD, will receive support through meals, resources and companionship for these families learning to navigate raising young children.   The Super Hero Spring Festival offers early learning materials for students and families to improve their child’s skills in preparation for Kindergarten. 

Plans are already in place in the MISD with an increase of self-management and coping strategies, by assisting students and families with mental health needs and/or other crises through the identification and coordination of services for various challenges (e.g. grief, illness, bullying, incarceration, dating/domestic violence, loss of income, trauma, isolation, and anxiety. The Satchel Pulse program will provide a data driven system for teachers and staff to monitor low SEL skilled students and understand what interventions are needed.  Calming kits and areas provided by this funding will also be used to help students learn SEL skills.

Carman indicated that currently, Early Childhood PBIS training is being provided to all preschool and early head start staff, "Once we have trained these individuals, we will have an onsite consultant to implement PBIS," she said.  "Our Early Learning PBIS program will provide an integrated approach to home visits, education and monitoring of child development for new and expectant parents, while providing educational home visits; facilitate parenting knowledge and parent networking by providing caregiver, or caregiver-child groups." 

Carman is appreciative of the immense help throughout the district assisting to finalize this grant. " It was not an easy task and I appreciate the team work within the Murray Independent School District that aided in the center being awarded this grant that will make a great impact on our students."

This two-year grant will provide funding for these programs through September of 2023.