Agenda Item
a. Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) Between DCSD & Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta ~ Level Up: In-School Mentoring Program (Year 2 of 3) (Not to exceed $249,983)
Summary: Presented by: Dr. Kishia K. Towns, Chief of Wrap Around Services, Division of Wrap Around Services
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education approve the MOU between Big Brother Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta and DCSD to provide Level Up: In-School Mentoring services to 300 students at Lithonia Middle School during the 2024-2025 school year for an amount not to exceed $249,983.
Why: DCSD would like to implement the Level Up: In-School Mentoring program at Lithonia Middle School in order to support our students in developing a vision for the future, avoid risky behavior(s), and develop a sense of belonging. Lithonia was selected based on at-risk concerns presented by students during the 2022-2023 school year. Work will continue with the identified group and additional students will be mentored for the 2024-2025 school year.
Details: The Level Up program utilizes 3 paid staff members, including, 1 mentoring supervisor, and 2 lead mentors, who meet weekly with 8 groups of 5 students and hosts 10 1:1 sessions with students. They will have the capacity to serve 300 students through group and individual sessions.
Financial impact: The cost to implement the Level Up program will be paid using Federal funds from the Title IV grant at a cost not to exceed $249,983 against charge code: 462.2213.530000.03221.7020.1779.8010.090.2024.
Contact: Dr. Kishia Towns, Chief of Wrap Around Services, Division of Wrap Around Services, 678-676-1811.
Mrs. Denise Revels, Director of Wrap Around Support, Division of Wrap Around Services, 678-676-2011
Status: Pending review and approval by General Counsel.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta
August 1, 2024- July 31, 2025
QUOTE
Contact Address/Remit Payment To:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta
680 Murphy Ave, SW Suite 1090
Atlanta, GA 30310
Full Contract Amount: $249, 983.00
Full Contract Duration: 12- Months (August 2024- July 2025)
Payment Frequency: Monthly
2024-2025 School Year
Total $249, 983.00
Cost per child served $833.28
Children served 300
Program/Services Rendered: 300 selected students at Lithonia Middle School will meet with their designated Mentor weekly at a set,
scheduled time. During this time, students (referred to as “Littles”) will engage in an interactive mentoring curriculum, either in a 1-1
setting with their Mentor, or in their mentoring small group with up to 5 peers and their Mentor.
The mentoring sessions will center around four main outcomes: improving social emotional learning, increasing students’ sense of
belonging, creating a choice-filled future, and avoiding risky behavior. In those sessions, students will build real-life skills related to those
concepts to be utilized throughout their life, including in the classroom and at home. These include emotional building regulation skills
aimed at de-escalating tensions among peers and adults, building executive functioning skills to support their academic advancement,
and creating accountability and community to increase students’ desire and motivation to be present.
Outcomes: By learning about and creating real-life application of social-emotional skills, students will be able to be focused and
prepared to learn in class. They will build confidence and communication tools to help motivate them to engage effectively in
class and they will learn tools to help them manage their time, priorities, and work, leading to on-time assignments and test
preparedness.
Number of Mentors: 7
Work Time: 8 hours per day
Number of Days Worked in the School Year: 246