CUHSD receives $3 million federal grant

In a time when every penny counts, Corning Union High School District officials have nearly 3 million reasons to celebrate.

The district is one of only 18 recipients in the nation to receive a 2009 federal Safe Schools Healthy Students grant of almost $3 million from a pool of 422 applications, according to the U.S. Department of Education Web site.

"The notification of the grant is the best news we have received in months," said CUHSD Superintendent Bruce Cole. "These are difficult times and the notion that was will be able to continue, and even enhance, our student support services is incredible."

The district will receive the grant funds in $727,471 increments over a four-year period, Cole said.

The grant application focused on the district's safe schools health students project, "Helping Others Pursue Education," which will serve 1,100 students at the district's three school sites, Cole said.

Some of the proposed activities, curricula, programs and services include Botvin Lifeskills Training, Brief Strategic Family Therapy, Aggression Replacement Training, Multisystemic Therapy, and Parent as Teachers.

"This grant is the collaborative efforts of many caring, concerned stakeholders at many levels and will assure critical services to students for several years to come," Cole said.

Supporting the project are Tehama County Department of Education, Corning Police Department, Tehama County Probation Department, and Tehama County Health Agency.

The federal grant makes it possible for the district to provide students three on-campus therapists who will offer family and life counseling; one bilingual outreach counselor; continue funding the on-campus resource officer from the Corning Police Department, and provide numerous health and safety services from the county and independent providers, Cole said.

"These services will be available to all of our students at the high school, Centennial High School, Community Day, and the ranch," he said. "We are already contracting with county and independent agencies so we can provide students with services as soon as possible."

The district's Helping Other Pursue Education project implements the grant requirements of addressing alcohol, drug and violence prevention; student behavioral, social, and emotional supports; mental health services; and early childhood social and emotional learning, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

"While this is a large amount of money to our district, its use is very specific and prescribed by the federal government. Nearly all of the funds are going directly to services for students," Cole said. "The funds cannot be used in the district's general funds budget."

County Superintendent of Schools Larry Champion said in a release, "This grant is all about partnership. By working together and sharing resources with local law enforcement, juvenile justice, and health providers, we can have a greater impact on school and community violence, substance abuse and mental health issues, school attendance, and achieve better outcomes for our kids."

CUHSD is the only school district in the county to receive the 2009 federal safe schools health students grant. Other school districts in the state to receive the grant is Pico Rivera, Escondido, Nevada City, Willits and Woodland.

Contact Julie R. Johnson at 824-5464 or jjohnson@tcnpress.com