The Carmel Education Foundation (CEF) has received a $2,500 Family Engagement and Partnership Grant from Indiana Youth Institute (IYI).
IYI offered public education foundations the opportunity to apply for quick grants to advance the equitable educational attainment of students in the communities they serve. CEF Executive Director Jennifer Penix will work with Carmel Clay Schools Mental Health Coordinator Stephanie Whiteside to engage elementary caregivers and families.
“We will use the IYI grant funds to provide practical resources to help children build effective coping and self-regulation skills that parallel classroom learning, so kids receive consistent messaging between their home and school environments,” Penix said.
Whiteside will utilize resources from the Conscious Discipline program to align with methodologies currently being used throughout Carmel Clay Schools. Caregiver curriculum will initially be made available to elementary families who have a student receiving school-based mental health services, participating in a 100 percent virtual learning environment for the 2020-2021 school year, or who have reported concerns related to their child’s coping.
“These tools are essential as children return to school following the COVID-19 pandemic,” Whiteside said. “This has been a traumatic experience in many kids’ lives, and we expect a recovery period. Aligning the tools used by both caregivers and educators will provide the comprehensive support they need to thrive.”
About the Indiana Youth Institute
IYI is a dynamic force in the landscape of Indiana’s education, working to improve lives and strengthen communities. These quick grants are evidence of their ongoing commitment to the healthy development of our children and youth. For more information on Indiana Youth Institute, visit iyi.org.
About the Carmel Education Foundation
One of the oldest foundations of its kind, CEF was created to help Carmel Clay students achieve their full potential. Since 1966, the Foundation has awarded over $2.1 million in college scholarships to Carmel High School seniors and over $850,000 in education grants to inspire lifelong learning for Carmel Clay students. CEF is governed by a volunteer board of directors who give their time and energy to accelerate the Foundation’s mission by funding grants, awarding more than 80 scholarships annually and expanding resources for Carmel Clay Schools. Learn more at ccs.k12.in.us/foundation.