Prairie View to Receive Grant to Assist Students in Local Communities
November 20, 2018
Newton, Kan. (November 20, 2018) – A psychosocial group led by Prairie View mental health professionals at McPherson USD 418 for students not currently Prairie View clients yet needing mental health support is the inspiration behind a new pilot program in Harvey and Marion counties that will be funded thanks to a $5,000 grant from the Schowalter Foundation.
RESPECT Group will serve students in the Harvey County and Marion County school systems who are not Prairie View clients and have been identified by school counselors and teachers as being in need of psychosocial rehabilitation.
“The urgent plea from the school counselors and teachers is that other students, not Prairie View clients, need intervention, but they have no opportunity for much needed group activity and mental health services,” says Eric Schrag, director of advancement at Prairie View. “Prairie View recognizes this need and is ready to pilot a program for students outside of the Prairie View organization at two district sites. Intervention at an early age is cost effective plus a moral obligation – particularly for a faith based organization.”
RESPECT Group will meet during a school-selected time for 18 weeks. Students identified by school personnel as needing psychosocial rehabilitation interventions will meet with Prairie View community-based serves team members to learn necessary skills to manage conflict, stress, peer-related difficulties, anxieties and mood-related problems at both school and home.
It is hoped that by expanding on healthy interventions for identified students, serious behavioral consequences, resulting from suspensions or negative attitudes toward school, will be improved as well as students’ overall mental health.
Prairie View currently provides after-school psychosocial rehabilitation groups to 20-60 children per site in Harvey, Marion and McPherson counties who are currently Prairie View clients.
The Schowalter Foundation is a supporting organization of Mennonite Foundation, an affiliate of Everence, which is the stewardship agency of Mennonite Church USA.