CPS program helps students in foster care succeed
CINCINNATI (WKRC) - Success in school can be life-changing for some of the most vulnerable students. A program in Cincinnati Public Schools keeps the 350 kids in foster care from falling through the cracks.
Fray Chaney has been a foster child since he was 10. Now 17, he will graduate from Aiken High School, but it has not been easy. Cherisse Parrish is the school’s social worker. Though for the 12 kids at Aiken in state custody, she is much more.
"I was always an out-of-class person, walking around. She’d find me, or, if I was not at school, she’d come to my house and, “Fray, you need to be at school. I’m coming to get you; put your stuff on,'” Chaney said.
“You might hear them say 'Mama Cherisse' or 'Mama Parrish,' and which I’m fine! As long as you know that I’m that person that you can go to, and I’m going to love on you, but I’m also going to hold you accountable and make sure that your outcomes are going to be successful," said Parrish.
Parrish is part of a program called Kids in School Rule. Her job is to make sure children in foster care succeed.
“There’s significantly higher graduation rates for our kids in Kids in School Rule program compared to state averages, as well as our district average for graduation rates. So it’s a huge testament to the work," said Carrie Bunger, the director of school culture.
Youth in foster care have a graduation rate nationally of 40-63%. For all of Cincinnati Public, it’s 75%, and 95% of the students with Kids in School Rule will earn a diploma.
“We’ve gone around the country; we’ve gone to Georgetown [University] to talk about this. The American Bar Association has picked up on this. We've gone to the states around the country; I was in Delaware speaking to the state about Kids in School Rule," said juvenile court Judge John Williams.
Williams knows the data: 80% of adults in jail didn’t graduate from high school. That’s part of the reason the partnership between his office, legal aid, Job and Family Services and Cincinnati Public was created 10 years ago. About 350 CPS students are in the program a year, though most don’t even know.
“I think that is the amazing part about it is that we are discreet as far as you’re not labeled as a Kids in School Rule student, but you are a student that we want to provide you with an unlimited amount of resources,” said Parrish.
Chaney knows part of the reason he will graduate is Mama Parrish.
"I’m graduating, getting good grades. I’ve got a job. I’m pretty sure that if I was at home, I wouldn’t be doing all of this. I wouldn’t be where I am now,” he said.
Cincinnati Public is the only school district in the program. Organizers are also focused on second and third-grade reading and helping kids participate in afterschool activities.
