Project Grant 17SFNIA003

THIS NARRATIVE DESCRIBES AMERICAN HOME FINDING ASSOCIATION (AHFA), THE CURRENT SPONSOR FOR THE FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM (FGP) IN WAPELLO COUNTY, IOWA. AHFA IS A LICENSED, PRIVATE, NOT-FOR-PROFIT SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY THAT BEGAN AS AN ADOPTION AGENCY IN 1899. ALTHOUGH ADOPTION REMAINS ONE OF THE SERVICES, AHFA HAS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE: BIRTH PARENT SERVICES, MATERNAL CHILD AND ADOLESCENT HEALTH & WIC, CHILD CARE CENTER, CHILD WELFARE EMERGENCY SERVICES, AFTERCARE PROGRAM, ACHIEVING MAXIMUM POTENTIAL (AMP), TEEN HEALTH CENTER, AND THE FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM. THE MISSION OF AHFA IS TO PROVIDE QUALITY SERVICES THAT NURTURE AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. WE BELIEVE: *EACH PERSON IS AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A UNIQUE SET OF EXPERIENCES. *EACH PERSON HAS DIGNITY AND WORTH. *EACH PERSON HAS A RIGHT TO ACCESS THE POWER STRUCTURE. *EACH PERSON IS FREE TO MAKE HIS/HER OWN DECISIONS. *EACH PERSON HAS POTENTIAL. *EACH PERSON HAS A NEED TO BE WANTED AND APPRECIATED. *EACH PERSON IS TO BE RESPECTED, AND *WE CAN ALL LEARN FROM ONE ANOTHER BY WORKING TOGETHER. THE FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM ALIGNS WELL WITH AHFA'S MISSION, AS THE PROGRAM SERVES LIMITED INCOME SENIORS, AT RISK CHILDREN, THE AREA SCHOOLS, AND THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE. APPROXIMATELY 33 UNDUPLICATED VOLUNTEERS WILL TUTOR CHILDREN IN 12 VOLUNTEER SITES. THESE SITES INCLUDE CHILDCARE CENTERS, FAITH-BASED AGENCIES, ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, A RESIDENTIAL FACILITY SCHOOL, A WIC CLINIC, AND HEAD START CLASSROOMS. THE PRIMARY FOCUS OF THIS PROJECT IS READING READINESS AND KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 12TH GRADE SUCCESS. THE ANTICIPATED PROJECT OUTCOMES INCLUDE: IMPROVEMENT OF STUDENT READING AND PRE-READING SKILLS, IMPROVEMENT OF GRADUATION RATES, INCREASED QUALITY OF LIFE (PHYSICAL AND MENTAL) IN THE LIMITED INCOME SENIORS WHO PARTICIPATE, AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE VOLUNTEERS TO REMAIN FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT. AN ADDED BONUS TO THE SENIORS INCLUDES BENEFITING FROM A CIRCLE OF PEERS WHO HAVE SIMILAR INTERESTS AND LIFESTYLES, AND PREVENTING ISOLATION IN THEIR GOLDEN YEARS. BY ATTENDING MONTHLY IN-SERVICES, SENIORS WILL ALSO INCREASE THEIR AWARENESS OF LOCAL SERVICES THAT BENEFIT THE AGED, AND EXPAND THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND CURRENT TEACHING CURRICULUMS. AMERICAN HOME FINDING IS REQUESTING $152,023.00 FROM CNCS TO OPERATE THE PROGRAM FROM 7/1/2017 TO 6/30/2018, BASED ON 33 VSYS. THE SPONSOR WILL FUND $37,588.