Edgewood knows from two decades of working successfully in schools that most schools offer a range of programs and services oriented to student needs and problems. However, these programs are often introduced in an ad hoc and piecemeal manner, functioning in isolation of each other, and oriented to discrete problems. This contributes to widespread fragmentation and ineffective practices, substantially expending the very finite resources of schools. We know, too, that most schools don’t come close to having enough resources to meet their needs.

The Grace Magill Project has afforded us the opportunity to develop a process for partnering with schools by:

• Using surveys, focus groups, and interviews to complete a “whole school” assessment of strengths and gaps in supporting student well-being; also, eliciting from faculty, students, and parents their opinions on what is needed.
• Presenting the school with results of the assessment and a recommendation on what best practice or research-based programs are available to fill the identified gaps.
• Presenting the school with a “menu” of services that can be introduced or provided by the Grace Magill Project.
• Providing schools with school-specific services and interventions across the continuum of systemic, programmatic, and individual strategies.
• Measuring and evaluating the changes in each school’s ability to address student well-being.
• Revising and improving the model where indicated.
• Replicating the model in other schools (including middle and high schools).

Beginning in the 2009-10 school year, our assessment aligns with the San Francisco Unified School District's Strategic Plan "Beyond the Talk:  Taking Action to Educate Every Child Now."  Though 2012, the SFUSD has identified three areas of focus:

1)  Equity and Access.  Making social justice a reality.

2)  Student Achievement.  Engaging high achievers and joyful learners.

3)  Accountabilty.  Keeping our promise to students and families.

Our abilility to assist schools in successfully implementing the strategic plan will help make a difference for students and their families.  The Grace Magill Project and the School-Based programs combined offers schools a comprehensive wraparound model for addressing a continuum of needs.