The Gainesville City School System will be implementing wrap-around services as a district-wide initiative to support academic success and to maintain student wellness.
"Wrap-around services are a supportive network of people and agencies that specialize in different aspects of a student's needs (social-emotional, physical, academic, etc.)," explains Dr. Kim Hall, Fair Street School Counselor. "By consulting with each other and referring to appropriate people, students are able to continue their education while going through some tough situations. Wrap-around services save parents and educators time by appropriate and timely referrals and reduce the chances of unnecessary duplication of services."
Students and families provided with the appropriate wrap-around services become more engaged in healthier communities in which high school graduates are more prepared to be part of a productive workforce. Examples of wrap-around services include health, dental, and vision care; behavioral health, nutrition, and wellness; parent/family target services such as adult education; service referrals/assistance; social work and family crisis response.
"Once fully integrated with district and community-based resources, it will alleviate the gap that students and families experience when accessing services for food, clothing, shelter, and mental health," states Dr. Ursula Harris, GCSS School Social Worker. "These are the basic needs all people require to be productive and successful, especially students. These services, partnered with exceptional teaching and learning, position our students to reach their goals and improve our community."
Community partners such as the Boys and Girls Club of Lanier, District 2 Public Health, Gainesville Housing Authority, Hall County Library System, Lanier Technical College, and United Way of Hall County are already on board by jointly promoting literacy initiatives. Also, the Compass Center, a community resource center led by Shannon Crook, Center Coordinator, connects families and individuals in need with resources and local providers to assist them with financial, housing, and health issues. Connecting the proper services to appropriate student/family needs will enable students' academic success and will support a healthy and prepared workforce to better serve the Gainesville/Hall County community.
