Request Approval to amend the existing Consultant Services Agreement between Madera Unified School District and Angelina Rodriguez to increase contract from $30,000 to $50,000 due to COVID-19 pandemic requiring additional support to the FIT/Foster populations for the 2020-21 school year. 

Todd Lile, Superintendent

Dr. Rebecca Malmo, Executive Director of Student Services and Family Support Services

Alyson Crafton, Director of Student Services

On May 26, 2020, Madera Unified School District Board approved the 2020-2021 bundle contracts, which included the Consultant Service Agreement with Angelina Rodriguez to provide academic, social/emotional support opportunities for “at-risk” foster and Families In Transition/homeless (FIT) students. The contract was approved for $30,000.

Foster and FIT students are among the most vulnerable children in our school district. They are highly likely to confront factors associated with school failure as poverty and disability. Additionally, these children must cope with physical and psychological trauma associated with abuse, neglect, and separation from family, friends, and teachers. The effects of this trauma is often compounded by disruptions by frequent changing of schools as well as homes. The Consultant can provide significant supports for these students to not only complete their K-12 education, but to have a plan of action for college and career opportunities.

DataQuest information available for Foster students demonstrate that on average 43% of the Foster students did not meet the standard for ELA and 53% did not meet the standard for Math. The California Dashboard for MUSD has the performance indicators for our Foster and FIT students in the red and orange for multiple indicators including Chronic Absenteeism and Discipline. MUSD needs to continue its progress towards closing the achievement gap with these two marginalized, subcategorized student populations. MUSD has faced continued increased enrollment from our Foster and FIT students. Investments in the Student Services Department during the past couple of years have resulted in better identification of Foster and FIT students. All Foster and FIT students who made a school move in their 11^th or 12^th grade year need to be evaluated for reduction in State graduation requirements under AB167 (Foster) and AB1806 (FIT). The Consultant, working in coordination with the counselor, will conduct a graduation analysis according to our school district’s graduation requirements to determine whether the student can reasonably complete additional local graduation requirements within four years of high school.

Under AB490 and ESSA, we are to provide school of origin as a continuum of education for our K-12 Foster and FIT students. The consultant will assist in building these relationships and the family unit. The consultant will be working with the Foster and FIT students attending but not limited to Mt. Vista High School, Jack G. Desmond Middle School, Berenda Elementary School, Dixieland Elementary School, James Monroe Elementary School, Nishimoto Elementary School, and John J. Pershing Elementary School

In the beginning of the year, informational workshops were provided for the FIT/Foster families and concluded with a backpack, school supplies, hygiene kit give away for the students.

At the onset of the school closures, Ms. Rodriguez reached out to our Foster/FIT families weekly to make sure they had their basic needs met. She reached out to families to see if they needed to have school meals provided and delivered them to families who do not have the means to pick them up during the closure. She also provided Chromebooks and hot spots to those who were in need. Consultants also provided basic hygiene products, laundry detergent, etc. to our FIT families who needed it throughout the year. She met with our secondary students to support their graduation efforts and qualify them for AB credit reduction if applicable. Further, in conjunction with consultants, donations were raised to pay for FIT graduates' year books, and Title I funds were used to purchase caps and gowns for FIT/Foster seniors. Students in all grade levels received consulting support this year utilizing the three consultants, by pyramid.

Additional $20,000 not to exceed $50,000 - Supplemental and Concentration

Resource and Department – 0015-7080

The Governing Board recognizes that Foster and FIT students may face significant barriers to achieving academic success due to their family circumstances, disruption of their educational program, and their emotional, social, and other health needs. To enable such students to achieve state and district academic standards, the Superintendent or designee shall provide them with full access to the district's educational program and implement strategies identified as necessary for the improvement of the academic achievement of Foster students in the district's local control and accountability plan (LCAP). To address the needs of Foster and FIT students and help ensure the maximum utilization of available funds, the Superintendent or designee shall collaborate with local agencies and officials including, but not limited to, the county placing agency, social services, probation officers, juvenile court officers, nonprofit organizations, and advocates.