Through the generosity of Franciscan Health Alliance, the Lafayette Catholic School System (LCSS), was awarded $30,000 through their inaugural Social Impact Partnership Program (SIPP). Working collaboratively towards meaningful and sustainable change empowers community residents to take better care of themselves and their families. The SIPP, supported by Franciscan Health, aims to improve health and wellbeing through partnerships with community organizations.
LCSS is already putting the grant money to use across all schools through the implementation of a system-wide social and emotional learning program called Second Steps. This is the first systematic implementation of curriculum and professional development in advancing the five core competencies of the program: Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, and Responsible Decision-Making. Teachers and staff are provided with professional development for the program to assist them in implementing the program on principles grounded in our Catholic faith. In addition to the classroom component, LCSS has plans to develop small group programs in English and Spanish for parents and caregivers to help them deal with common parenting issues, such as bully-proofing, anger management, technology in the home, setting boundaries, consequences and improved communication skills. Plans are also in place to increase the social and emotional care for the LCSS teachers and staff as part of this program.
Thanks to the level of funding, the program is funded for a period of two-year academic years to collect evidence-based data on the program's effectiveness. If the evidence demonstrates clear effectiveness, there are plans to expand the program.
