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KIPP Texas SHAC approves slate of outside partners for SEL, mentoring and student supports
Summary
KIPP Texas School Health Advisory Committee members voted to approve a package of outside programs and curricula — including Changing Perspectives ($8,000), Project CLASS, I Have a Dream Foundation and others — to provide social-emotional learning, mentoring, food support and related services across multiple regions.
Madeline Gilliard, introduced as the senior director of school abuse mental health, led a virtual KIPP TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS School Health Advisory Committee meeting in which members voted to approve a series of outside partners and curricula designed to expand social-emotional and wraparound supports for students across Austin, DFW, Houston and San Antonio.
The group approved multiple programs by hand-raise votes after short presentations. Programs approved include Changing Perspectives (a 501(c)(3) SEL curriculum proposed for special education classrooms), Project CLASS (a social-skills program), Carter's House (uniforms and case management in Dallas), I Have a Dream Foundation (after-school mentorship and scholarship pipeline), Colors of Austin counseling groups, Project Pink Tacks (a puberty/menstrual-health pilot at Austin Collegiate), the North Texas Food Bank 'Store for Kids' backpack program, Friends of Children (long-term paid mentors), Empowerhouse and a Crystal ministries curriculum for San Antonio.
Gilliard said Changing Perspectives would support KIPP special education students and noted a direct program cost: “There is a cost to this curriculum. It is $8,000.” She said the district would cover that from the special education budget and that teachers would receive training and logins. On vetting external mentors, Gilliard told the committee that outside mentors seeking campus access must complete full background checks and fingerprints before working on site.
Votes at a glance Changing Perspectives — approved Project CLASS — approved Carter's House (Dallas) — approved I Have a Dream Foundation (DFW) — approved Colors of Austin counseling (Austin) — approved Project Pink Tacks (pilot at Austin Collegiate) — approved North Texas Food Bank 'Store for Kids' (DFW) — approved Friends of Children (statewide presence) — approved Empowerhouse (San Antonio) — approved Crystal ministries curriculum (San Antonio) — approved
Committee members asked how program availability is decided for regions such as Dallas or Pleasant Grove; Gilliard said principals and school leaders determine school budgets and that the SHAC can advocate to bring programs that succeed in one region to others. Several presenters emphasized that parental consent would be required for student participation in on-campus groups or pilots.
The approvals authorize school staff to refer students and to coordinate with partner organizations subject to standard onboarding requirements, parental consent, and the district's background-check policies. The committee moved through the slate of items rapidly and closed the agenda after securing approval for the final programs.
