Charleston area senior citizens services, INC. (casc) is a 501(c)3 organization that serves senior citizens in south carolina, specifically berkeley, charleston, and dorchester counties

The mission of the organization is to promote the social, mental and economic well-being of seniors in the TRI-county. Casc is requesting $235,870 in federal funds to sponsor the foster grandparent program (FGP) in this three county area. The FGP will provide 51 VSY's during the contract year. The FGP will address two performance measures: school readiness/head start/early childhood education and k-12 success with a third complementary program under k-12 success. Forty-OME FGP volunteers will be assigned to 175 students in elementary and middle schools to assist in classroom performance and to improve reading skills. Volunteers will assist identified students in staying on task and assisting with classroom activities or remedial work. Volunteers will provide 27,000 hours in the classroom, 26 VSY's. The end outcome will be that 90%, or 158 of children receiving assistance will advance to the next grade level. Twenty-five FGP volunteers will assist 75 children in head starts, early head starts and a school readiness program. A total of 20,000 volunteer hours will be provided in the contract year, 19 VSY's. Volunteers will help children develop in the social-emotional domain and to become kindergarten ready. FGP volunteers will assist at risk children in developing necessary communication, socialization and cognitive skills to progress to the next class level. The end outcome will be that 90% or 68 of children receiving assistance graduate to the next level appropriate to their age. The summer learning program, a non impact area, will have 20 volunteers assisting 60 children who have been identified as "at risk". Volunteers will provide tutoring, assist during structured academic time, accompany on field trips and provide positive reinforcement to redirect unacceptable behavior. Volunteers will provide 6,000 hours of service, 6 VSY's.