Versailles, In. — We are pleased to announce that South Ripley Community School Corporation has recently been awarded a Title IV, Part A Grant in the amount of $100,000 from the Indiana Department of Education. This was a competitive process and South Ripley received the maximum dollar amount that was available in this grant program.
Brenda Konradi, the Executive Director of One Community One Family, assisted South Ripley Elementary Principal Amy Linkel and Superintendent Rob Moorhead in writing the grant. Title IV, Part A grants are intended to improve students’ academic achievement by increasing the capacity of local communities to provide all students with access to a well-rounded education.
The South Ripley grant application focused on seeking funding to allow the district to provide social and emotional supports for students attending South Ripley Elementary School. This will be accomplished through the implementation of evidence-based practices such as Nashville STARS programming, Youth Mental Health First Aid, Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports, and Parent Cafes.
In order to implement these programs and coordinate services, South Ripley plans to hire a Student Assistance Program (SAP) Director. The SAP Director will have a background in social work and will provide early intervention for students exhibiting problem behaviors, provide support to small groups and individuals, and provide links to additional appropriate services in the community.
“We are ecstatic that our proposal was chosen for funding,” said South Ripley Superintendent Rob Moorhead. “Amy Linkel and Brenda Konradi were instrumental in writing this comprehensive proposal, and we are looking forward to the implementation of these evidence based programs to allow us to better meet the needs of all of our elementary school students and families.”
Although the SAP Director will focus on the elementary school, this person will be available to consult with and provide additional support in times of crisis at the high school and junior high as well. After spending additional time in the planning process throughout this school year, South Ripley intends to implement the SAP Director’s position in the 2018-19 school year.
