Matrix of Collaborative Action for Resiliency in Education (CARE) Grant uri icon

abstract

  • WCS will partner with the Rural Education Institute (REI) at East Carolina University to use funding from the 2019-2020 School Safety Grants to continue the implementation the Matrix of Collaborative Action for Resiliency in Education, known by the acronym ?Matrix of CARE? (an adaptation from the Transforming Rural Education Experience program) that was piloted at one elementary school in Washington County in 2018-2019 through the DPI Training to Increase School Safety Community Partner grant. The Matrix of CARE project aims to empower school personnel to become better prepared to help youth develop healthy responses to traumatic stress that accrues from adverse events and environments (see Figure 1). The Matrix of CARE represents a holistic approach to alleviating the harmful effects on the school performance of children enduring adverse childhood experiences. As a holistic approach, the Matrix of CARE embraces the community in which the school is located and purposefully engages the understanding and support of parents, families, and local stakeholders. The work is asset-based and culturally responsive in building capacity within community supports. The Matrix of CARE framework utilizes a trauma-focused cognitive behavioral intervention program titled Bounce Back? (BB, https://bouncebackprogram.org/), designed to reduce students? symptoms of post-traumatic-stress, depression, and behavioral problems, to improve students? functioning, grade attainment and school attendance, to elicit peer and parent support, and suggest coping skills for students at the elementary age level. The Matrix of CARE model, however, extends beyond the BB program by setting those specified sessions in the community context by means of conducting Community Learning Exchanges (Guajardo, Guajardo, Janson, & Militello, 2016, CLEs). Community Learning Exchanges are assemblies held within the local community at which students, families, school personnel, and stakeholders are invited to exchange ideas and strategies that sustain positive school environments and school safety, and also foster progressive community change.

date/time interval

  • December 2019 - June 2020