2016-655-E Finance - Voices Together - Outside Agency Performance Agreement

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DocuSign Envelope ID: 16AB4DFA-7125-42E6-B3E7-C6B53151B77C t A - continued Provider's Outside Agency Application MAIN APPLICATION complex demands of growth and development. Numerous research studies have shown that: • Students who are more self-aware and confident about their learning capacities try harder and persist in the face of challenges (Durlak et al., 2011). • Students who have self-discipline, motivate themselves, manage stress, and organize their approach to work learn more and get better grades. • Students who use problem-solving skills to overcome obstacles and make responsible decisions about studying and completing homework perform better academically (Durlak et al., 2011). The proposal, when funded, will enable Voices Together to continue to provide our program to students that desperately need intervention services such as ours. As we establish our program in classrooms, we also are building capacity in schools. As teachers watch our methods and participate, they gain skills that will carry through in their classroom instruction for maximum outcomes. c) Describe the local need or problem to be addressed in relation to the Consolidated Plan or other community priorities (i.e. Council/Board Goals). Cite local data to support the need for this program and the population being served. Over the last 12 years, the prevalence of developmental disabilities (DDs) in U.S. children has increased 17.1%—that's about 1.8 million more children with DDs compared to a decade earlier. The Orange County Schools identified approximately 1,036 students with DDs, or 13.7% of the student body. Developmental disabilities are a diverse group of severe chronic conditions that are due to mental and/or physical impairments. People with developmental disabilities have problems with major life activities such as language, mobility, learning, self-help, and independent living. This dramatic jump in the number of Exceptional Children's students increased the financial burden on our schools and families. While at the same time, there has not been proportionate increases in federal special education appropriations or state education spending. Students with disabilities often face additional challenges with regards to school readiness and long-term academic success. For starters, it's difficult to overcome the adverse educational effects of some disabilities. Other potential causes include the association between disability and poverty, rigid testing policies and practices, misallocation of resources, lack of staff training or effectiveness, or failures in service delivery. Furthermore, families of students with a disability face complex financial challenges. Insufficient financial resources and/or inadequate access to intervention services often prohibit these families from receiving specialized therapy services. The partnership between Voices Together and the Orange County Schools will help close the achievement gap and help children from these families succeed academically and into adulthood. d) Describe the population to be served or the area to benefit and indicate how you will identify beneficiaries. Working with the Exceptional Children's Department for Orange County Schools VT in Education Program and Training Director alongside the Director of the Exceptional Children's Main Application 1/25/2016 1:42:01 PM Page 8 • f 211