KIDSConnect, an award-winning program of The Educational Council, serves middle school students in south/eastern Franklin County, Ohio. Students receive academic assistance and social enrichment opportunities in an afterschool setting that fosters positive connections between family, school and community. Included are homework assistance, academic enrichment activities, teambuilding activities and service learning projects with ATOD prevention, environmental, nutrition/fitness, media awareness, and character building themes. KIDSConnect has an 11-year history of providing afterschool programs aligned with local and national standards for quality service and best practices, while providing real-world training for college age site coordinators.
Program History
KIDSConnect was founded in 1996 as RAP by a broad-based collaborative of schools, governments, businesses and community organizations in southeastern Franklin County that include: Canal Winchester, Groveport Madison, Hamilton-Local and Whitehall school districts; Villages of Canal Winchester, Groveport, and Obetz; Townships of Hamilton and Madison; the Southeastern Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, YMCA Hoover Park and numerous businesses and community organizations. This program supports The Educational Council’s broader mission by helping school districts equip youth with knowledge and skills they need to succeed in college, the workplace and life – and by encouraging students, parents and communities to take responsibility for improving the academic achievement of all students.
Program Goals
KIDSConnect work with students to overcome attitudes and behaviors that interfere with their success in the school and community. Through a curriculum designed to strengthen social skills and activities that build connections with peers, school, and family; KIDSConnect is able to provide students with the opportunity to develop the necessary assets needed to succeed in life.
Program Activities
Homework Assistance
Teambuilding Activities
Social Skill Building
Mentoring
Service Learning Projects
ATOD Prevention
Environmental Awareness
Nutrition and Fitness
Multicultural Awareness
Family & Community Showcases
Summer Programming (Information Technology, Literacy, Community Service, Field Trips)
Recruitment
Students are referred to the program by school staff including principals, teachers and guidance counselors.
Population Served
30 students (grades 6-8) at each school
(grades 6 & 7 at Groveport Madison)
Program Hours
Monday-Thursday
2:30 to 5:30 (Hamilton & Rosemore)
3:00 to 6:00 (Groveport Madison & Canal Winchester)
Special Field Trips
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Make a Difference Day (Community Service)
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Winter Celebration (YMCA Hoover Park)
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Fun Day (OSU RPAC-Mentoring Day)
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Miracles & Magic
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Prevention Film Premiere (OSU Gateway Theatre)
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2007-08 Program Statistics
o 76% of participants’ social skills improved by 35%.
o 82% of students who attended programming between 51-100% improved one letter grade in at least one core subject area (Math, English, Reading, Science and Social Studies).
o 63% of students who attended programming between 51-100% increased school attendance.
o 25% of students with prior disciplinary actions involved in the program for more than 18 weeks decreased their discipline infractions; 51% of students incurred zero discipline infractions.