Imani Village Report 2014-17

Imani Village

School Linked Services

Building a Brighter
Future for Youth

2014 - 2017

“Imani Village is attempting to create a
paradigm shift in education for middle and
high school students…to meet the needs of
students who face unsurmountable challenges
ranging from low academic proficiency to
childhood trauma. I believe Unity Care is deeply
invested in creating a quality program for
youth and families.”

Dr. Arnetha F. Ball
Professor of Education

Stanford University
Graduate School of Education

1 • Imani Village Report 14-17

Helping Students Achieve
Academic Success

Dear Friends,

Education is one of our most important investments in the future. It is the foundation for empowerment
and employment, and provides the seeds for innovation and growth. Success in learning is closely tied to
a child’s emotional well-being, and their family’s self-sufficiency and stability.

Yet, as a nation, we fail to adequately resource educating our youth. This failure is especially profound
for children of color. In Santa Clara County, over 16% of African Ancestry students and 20% of Latino
students drop out of school, as compared with just over 5% of Caucasian and 3% of Asian students.

Children do not leave their family’s burden at the classroom door when they arrive at school. Teachers,
administrators, and other staff strive to address the needs and issues students bring to school. However,
shrinking financial resources, larger class sizes, and limited school counselors and clinical staff make it
increasingly difficult to create an educational environment that treats the whole student.

In August of 2014, in partnership with Dr. Nancy Pena, retired Director of the Santa Clara County
Department of Mental Health, and County Executive Dr. Jeff Smith, Imani Village was launched as a
comprehensive education and mental health services program to improve academic outcomes and
overall well-being of African Ancestry youth and other underserved students of color, and their families.

Imani Village is a collaborative effort led by Unity Care and Ujima Adult and Family Services, with
community coalition members Bay Area Tutoring Association, Bible Way Christian Center, and Maranatha
Christian Center. We serve students in the county’s lowest income schools and neighborhoods, focusing
on students with the greatest needs both emotionally and academically.

Throughout the 2014–2017 pilot program, we have served over 1,500 youth and 4,000 family members.
Many of our students have gained self-confidence and a greater sense of self-worth. They have also
improved their social emotional well-being, increased their grades, achieved academic goals, and
successfully graduated from our program. But for some students, having a greater sense of self-worth,
staying in school, and not falling further behind is an enormous feat. Changing the educational outcomes
for the students we serve is a marathon not a sprint.

We thank you for your support in making a difference in the lives of these students and families. Please
join us in continuing this journey. The future depends on it.

Sincerely,

André Chapman, MA Yvonne Maxwell, LCSW
Founder & CEO Jegna (Executive Director)
Unity Care Ujima Adult and Family Services, Inc.

Imani Village Report 14-17 • 2

About www.unitycare.org • 4
Unity Care

Unity Care is a strength-based, family-focused, and
culturally proficient youth and family development
agency. For almost 25 years, we have been
delivering supportive services to youth and families
involved in the foster care, child welfare, mental
health, and juvenile justice systems throughout
Santa Clara, San Mateo, Placer, and extended San
Francisco Bay Area counties. With a multicultural
staff of 200 employees, Unity Care serves over
6,000 youth and families annually in a variety
of residential, mental health, educational, and
community-based programs.

About
Ujima

Founded in 1991, Ujima’s Adult and Family Services
focuses on providing African-centered behavioral
health and support services to youth and adults
in the African community. As part of Imani Village,
Ujima works to improve educational outcomes and
promote wellness for African students at Piedmont
Hills and Oak Grove High Schools.

We focus on each child as an
individual, and offer a full
range of services that empower
young people and provide the
security and support they need
to flourish in society.

3 • Imani Village Report 14-17

The Need for
School Linked Services

Santa Clara County School Linked Services Strategic Plan Dropout Rates
In 2011, Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors President David Cortese in Santa Clara County
asked that county agencies collaborate to reestablish School Linked
Services (SLS) as part of his commitment to focus on the well-being Percentage of students
of the county's children. The resulting SLS Strategic Plan, published who drop out of high school
in 2012, recognized that many determinants – economic, social, and
institutional – impact children’s health and well-being, and their ultimate prior to graduation*
success in school. These determinants include poverty and economic
self-sufficiency, hunger and food insecurity, housing and neighborhood 16.3% African American
conditions, homelessness, discrimination, and immigration. 20.6% Latino
5.2% Caucasian
Children do not leave their family’s burden at the classroom door when 3.2% Asian
they arrive at school. While teachers, administrators, and other staff
strive to address the needs and issues students bring to school, shrinking * California Department of Education,
financial resources, larger class sizes, and reductions in the number of 2013-2014 school year. Reported by Bay
counselors and school nurses make it increasingly difficult to create an Area News Group.
educational environment that welcomes and supports them.

Success in learning is closely tied to a child’s emotional well-being and
their family’s self-sufficiency and stability. Creating partnerships between
the school, mental health, probation, social service agencies, and
community-based organizations presents an opportunity to serve the
broader needs of families and communities before a crisis arises which
may impact a child’s educational trajectory.

Profile of an High Risk Populations
Imani Village Student The high school dropout rate for Santa Clara County students
was 11.1% overall in 2014, according to the California Department
• Living below the poverty of Education. Of these, 20.6% of Latino students and 16.3% of
level African American students drop out, while only 5.2% of Caucasian
and 3.2% of Asian students drop out. Of the students who do
• Exposed to unusually high manage to graduate from Santa Clara County schools, only 20.4%
environmental stressors of African American students and 21.1% of Latino students meet
the A-G required courses for consideration of admission (not
• 96% of students are actual admission) to the University of California or California State
testing below grade University systems. This compares to 70.4% for Asian students
equivalency, often 2-3 and 53.5% for Caucasian students.
grades behind
African American and Latino students also make up a
• At higher risk of dropping disproportionate number of juvenile arrests in Santa Clara
out of school County. The Relative Rate Index shows that Latino youth were
three times more likely and African American youth were six times
more likely to be arrested than Caucasian youth. Data shows that
both African American and Latino youth were twice as likely to be
committed to Juvenile Hall, the county ranches, or the California
Department of Juvenile Justice as compared to Caucasian youth.

Imani Village Report 14-17 • 4

It Takes a Village

Imani Village, School Linked Services Program
The Santa Clara County Department of Mental Health awarded a School Linked Services contract to Unity Care
in February 2014 and to Ujima in 2015. The contract was to develop and implement a comprehensive education
and mental health services program for African American youth and other underserved students of color and
their families.

The goal of the program is to improve overall academic success and well-being by reducing risk factors that lead
to poor academic outcomes for students of color. The program is called Imani Village. Imani means “faith.”
We will never lose faith in our children’s abilities.

Risk Rating of Imani Village Students
According to the Risk Rating by Zip Code for Santa Clara County, the majority of schools currently being served
by Imani Village fall within risk levels 3 to 5. These psychosocial risk factors are comprised of the following
variables – poverty, substance abuse, child removals, juvenile justice entries, mental health, school drop-outs,
single parent households, felony arrests, teen mothers, low test scores, and low birthweight.

The majority of Imani Village youth are already exposed to significant environmental and community stressors,
necessitating more focused primary prevention, increased early intervention, and increased treatment for
serious emotional disturbances among youth and their families.

Our Model
Imani Village is an extension of the UCLA model of learning combined with intensive, culturally competent child
and family supports. We focus on mitigating and reducing risk factors caused by in-home stressors, trauma,
poverty, and systemic biases. We enable youth and families to move throughout the program and access the
services that fit their specific needs. Program services consist of a three-tiered framework integrating academic,
behavioral, and well-being services.

Imani Village Goals It is in response to these
The program’s primary focus is to improve the academic performance critical risk factors
and overall social and emotional well-being of middle and high facing children of
school students. For youth and families, the intended outcomes of color that Unity Care,
Imani Village are: in partnership with
1. Reduced school suspensions and expulsions. Ujima Adult and Family
2. Increased academic achievement Services, developed our
3. Increased parent involvement and participation in their child’s School Linked Services
program – Imani Village.
education.
4. Increased social emotional well-being of students and family

members.
5. Increased satisfaction with educational and support services

among involved youth and families.
6. Increased access to resources for families facing multiple

significant risk factors.

Our culturally aligned program is designed to engage youth and their
families and to create a “community of care and support” to help
children achieve success in school and at home.

5 • Imani Village Report 14-17

Our Service Model

Three-Tiered Framework

Addressing the needs of the whole child
to improve academic outcomes

Tier 3 68

Community-based YOUTH
Mental Health Services SERVED

Tier 2 653

School-based Mental Health Services YOUTH
SERVED

Tier 1 793

School-based Academic Services YOUTH
SERVED

This framework is based on UCLA's learning model.

Integrating Academic, Behavioral, and Well-Being Services
Youth and families access the level of services that fit their specific needs, and may move among tiers.

Tier 1 – School-based Academic Services
Universal academic interventions include student success plans, tutoring, mentoring, and parent
engagement sessions. Educational Coordinators are based at school sites and are available to promote
students' success throughout the school day.

Tier 2 – School-based Mental Health Services
During school hours, Imani Village clinical staff members support students by helping them strengthen
emotional self-management and social skills. After-school services help students and families address non-
school related challenges.

Tier 3 – Community-based Mental Health Services
Intensive therapeutic interventions include crisis intervention, therapeutic behavioral services, individual and
family therapy, or case management. These services are designed to mitigate severe academic, behavioral,
and social-emotional risk factors that impede a family’s success.

Imani Village Report 14-17 • 6

Imani Village Kick Off

September 25, 2014

In partnership with the Santa Clara County Department of
Mental Health, we hosted a special celebration
to launch Imani Village at Oak Grove High School in San Jose.
Over one hundred attendees joined in the celebration
including Oak Grove High School administrators, Imani
Village staff, community partners, and interested parents.
The event showcased Imani’s services and goals, which are
to improve academic performance and emotional well-being
for underserved middle and high school students of color.
Performances by Akoma Arts, a multi-ethnic group
of musicians, singers, dancers, and visual artists, highlighted
Imani’s focus on cultural awareness and pride.
A representative from Santa Clara County Supervisor
Dave Cortese's office presented a commendation. Supervisor
Cortese was instrumental in launching Santa Clara County’s
School Linked Services Initiative in 2011.
This celebration introduced the 3 year pilot program for a
groundbreaking approach to School Linked Services. Imani
Village represents a collaboration between Unity Care and
Ujima Adult and Family Services in partnership with Bay
Area Tutoring Association, Bible Way Christian Center, and
Maranatha Christian Center.

7 • Imani Village Report 14-17

“I have students who last year were struggling not only
academically, but having difficulties coming to school,
participating in risky and self-harming behaviors, and
really struggling to communicate with their families.
After working with Imani Village, these students are
participating in school activities, laughing with their
friends, and able to voice when they want to spend
time with their mom or dad. Imani Village has truly
changed the lives of many of my students and we
cannot imagine Fischer without their support."

Lauren Chapman
Counselor

Fischer Middle School

Imani Village Report 14-17 • 8

Who We Serve

1514+

YOUTH
SERVED

4000

FAMILY MEMBERS
SERVED

AGE DEMOGRAPHICS

428 609 381 96

Under Age 12 Age 13-14 Age 15-17 Age 18+

POPULATION SERVED BY ETHNICITY

G E N D E R E T H N I C I T YPOPULATION SERVED BY GENDER Other African Ancestry Latino
Female Male
268
18% O T H E R

61% 39% 23%

919 59% 348

Male 595 AFRICAN
ANCESTRY
Female
898

L AT I NO

9 • Imani Village Report 14-17

Where We Are

Students receive free academic, social, and emotional support “Students feel like
at eight schools and two faith-based community hubs, serving they are part of a
some of San Jose’s lowest income areas. By focusing on these village where they are
neighborhoods, Imani Village helps mitigate the influence of supported and have
poverty on students' academic success. Schools are located a voice.”
in the Alum Rock Union Elementary School District and East
Side Union High School District. The community hubs serve Martha Brazil
students who attend schools in other districts. Principal

High Schools Oak Grove High School

Oak Grove High School CITY OF SAN JOSE
Piedmont Hills High School
Santa Teresa High School

Middle Schools

ACE Empower Academy Middle School
Clyde L. Fischer Middle School
Lee Mathson Middle School
Renaissance Academy at Fischer Middle School
Renaissance Academy at Mathson Middle School

Imani Village Hubs

Bible Way Christian Center
Maranatha Christian Center

IMANI VILLAGE

SERVING
LOWEST
INCOME
NEIGHBOR-
HOODS

+

SERVING
HIGHEST

NEEDS
YOUTH

Imani Village Report 14-17 • 10

Stanford University
Research Project

We engaged Stanford University to provide independent research and “Imani Village is
program evaluation of the Imani Village service delivery model. poised to become
a leading service
The research project was led by Professor of Education Dr. Arnetha F. Ball, provider in Santa
and assisted by Professor of Counseling Psychology Dr. Teresa LaFramboise Clara County.
and two students in the Graduate School of Education. They are the first
organization in the
Research Project Objectives area to attempt
1. To investigate the delivery of an academic and mental health program to merge mental
health and academic
that hopes to make a difference for at-risk youth; support, an
2. To make research-based recommendations that may enable programs integrated approach
important to the
like Imani Village to make continuous program improvement; and holistic health of a
3. To contribute to the knowledge base concerning the merits of the child.”

delivery of a combined academic and mental health support program Stanford
for at-risk youth. Research Report

Dr. Ball stated, “I applaud Imani Village for their commitment of welcoming Dr. Arnetha F. Ball
feedback at the early stage of program implementation. This was an Professor of Education
aggressive move. A large percentage of programs generally wait two to
three years before bringing in an outside organization to conduct research Stanford University
on their operation.” Graduate School of Education

We felt engaging Stanford University at the outset would provide Imani
Village the highest probability of creating an effective service model
from one of the country’s leading experts in education and mental health
service models.

Results and Recommendations
Overall, the researchers concluded that the program was well grounded,
offered key and unique solutions to improving the academic performance
of children of color, and provided the connection between academics and
well-being by engaging the student, family, and school.

Imani Village continues to make program improvements based on
Stanford’s recommendations. Some highlights include:
• Implementing systems to better track academic data and outcomes.
• Improving Student Success Plans to include data-based assessments

for setting goals and measuring achievement.
• Increasing educational requirements and professional development

for Imani staff.
• Developing formal curriculum for Student Success Seminars that are

delivered regularly and are consistent across sites.
• Providing nutritious snacks at all sites to improve student motivation

and attentiveness.

11 • Imani Village Report 14-17

Our Impact

6,045+

TUTORING
HOURS

THERAPEUTIC SERVICES

21,732 11, 4 9 9

HOURS OF TIER 2

COUNSELING +

BEHAVIORAL SUPPORT

10,233

TIER 3
SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE D PROG R AM

910

YOUTH
GRADUATED

FROM
IMANI VILLAGE

Imani Village Report 14-17 • 12

Our Goals and Outcomes

*Outcomes based on data collected during the 3-year pilot program, 2014-2017.

REDUCED SUSPENSIONS

1. Reduced school 80%
suspensions and
expulsions. DECREASE
IN SCHOOL
SUSPENSIONS

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

2. Increased academic 234+
achievement.
YOUTH
*GPA for years 2 and 3. INCREASED
THEIR GPA

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

3. Increased parent 718+
involvement and
participation in their PARENT
child’s education. ENGAGEMENT
SESSIONS

WELL-BEING 81%

4. Increased social ACHIEVED
emotional well-being SOCIAL,
of students and family EMOTIONAL
members. W E L L- B E I N G

SERVICE SATISFACTION

5. Increased satisfaction 91%
with educational
and support services OF PARENTS
among involved ARE SATISFIED
youth and families. WITH SERVICES

ACCESS TO RESOURCES

6. Increased access to 250+
resources for families
facing multiple LINKED TO
significant risk factors. COMMUNITY
RESOURCES

13 • Imani Village Report 14-17

Imani Village Success Story

Maria's Story

Maria, who recently graduated from Oak Grove High
School, was one of the first students to enroll in Imani
Village as a sophomore in October, 2014. For over two
years, Maria took advantage of Imani’s Tier 1 services by
attending tutoring, taking part in skill building seminars,
and checking in regularly with her Education Coordinator,
from whom she learned self-advocacy and gained an
increased sense of self-worth and cultural identity. As a
result of her hard work with Imani Village, she maintained
a 3.0 GPA for two consecutive semesters.

Maria spent a lot of time in the fall of her senior year
preparing for college. Her Education Coordinator assisted
her in completing and submitting college applications
and discussing college climate. Happily, the collaborative
effort resulted in Maria’s acceptance into Cal State East Bay
where she will attend in the fall of 2017.

Steven's Story

Steven is an African American male who transferred from
Tennessee to Santa Teresa High School this year as a
sophomore. Steven had a history of very low academic
performance with many Ds and Fs, and stated that he
did not care about getting good grades. Imani Village
staff worked with Steven and his family to develop
academic strategies to help him improve his grades.
His team provided him with training and instruction in
organizational skills, self-advocacy, and growth mindset
concepts. As a result, Steven averaged a 2.7 GPA for this
school year. Prior to this year, he had never seen his GPA
rise to a 2.0. Steven now expresses greater confidence in
his ability to succeed in school.

Imani Village Report 14-17• 14

Our Community Partners

Henrietta Aigner
and Joy Baldwin

Foundation

15 • Imani Village Report 14-17

Community Resources for
Academic Excellence

Backpack Drive Maranatha and Bibleway Provide

A hallmark of summer at Unity Care is our Hot Meals and Much More
Backpack Drive, which provides new backpacks
filled with school supplies to youth in all our In addition to tutoring youth at both community
programs. Over the past three years, we have hubs, Maranatha Christian Center and Bibleway
distributed more than 600 backpacks along with Christian Center also provide services such as
new shoes to Imani Village students, to increase transportation, hot meals, access to the Computer
their confidence and provide them with the Advancement Center, BOOK Academy and other
tools for academic success. vital community resources.

After School Snacks Santa's Helpers

In partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank, The holidays are a difficult time for many of the
Unity Care delivers nutritious snacks and fresh families we serve. With support from generous
fruit to all Imani Village sites daily, supporting donors, Unity Care helps make the holidays brighter
healthy eating and after school fuel. with gifts and parties for the children and families in
our programs. For each of the past three years, up to
250 Imani Village students have been recipients of
our Santa’s Helpers program.

Imani Village Report 14-17 • 16

African American
Celebrations

From its inception, Imani Village
has recognized the importance of
cultural pride and understanding
to create a “community of care and
support.” To this end, Imani Village
sponsors school-wide celebrations
at our sites. For example, in 2015, we
hosted Fischer Middle School’s first
Martin Luther King Jr. Day program,
which included discussions of the
civil rights movement, a video, poetry
performance, and inspirational speech.
It was attended by 250 students and
grew to 500 students the next year.
Such programs continue to flourish and
create cultural awareness within our
broader school communities.

“Racial pride and
self-dignity were
emphasized in my
family and
community.”

Rosa Parks

17 • Imani Village Report 14-17

Latino Celebrations

More than half of Imani Village students are
Latino, emphasizing the need to support
and celebrate Latino culture in our program.
Highlights of events include a Latino
Celebration at ACE Middle School, attended
by hundreds of students, and a very popular
Dia De Los Muertos program at Renaissance
Academy.
In March 2015, Imani Village conducted
a Spanish Parent Engagement Workshop
at the Mayfair Community Center. Over
70 parents attended the workshop which
was presented in Spanish. Topics included
the importance of parental involvement at
school, handling crisis at home, and tips for
motivating their children.

“I feel so much pride to represent my
community and be Latino. No doubt
about it, above my career and sales,
being a Latino comes first.”

Daddy Yankee
World record-breaking rapper,
singer, songwriter & producer

Imani Village Report 14-17 • 18

Imani Village Receives
National Attention from

Elected Officials

During the fall of 2016, Congresswoman
Zoe Lofgren along with representatives
from Senator Dianne Feinstein's and
Senator Barbara Boxer's offices visited
several Imani Village school sites
to understand the program at the
ground level. They expressed interest
in funding a pilot project that would
enable Imani Village to expand the
program throughout the region.

East Side Union High School District
Superintendent Chris Funk, and school
administrators from Oak Grove High
School and Mathson Middle School
shared how the innovative program
is filling gaps in resources and cultural
support. They provided examples of
student success stories and described
how the program is addressing their
students' social emotional well-being
and improving academic performance
at their schools.

High school students enrolled in Imani
Village shared testimonials. Their stories
were heartfelt and inspiring.

"Over the years, Unity Care's
tutoring program, Imani Village,
has provided critical academic
and emotional support services
for the district's at-risk teens.
Their integrated model of
supportive services with on-site
tutors and counselors provides
students with many of the
resources they need to succeed in
school."

Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator, California

19 • Imani Village Report 14-17

“Educating the children of America is one of the most
important challenges we face. A first rate education is
the strongest foundation for children to succeed and
for our country to prosper. ”

Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren
Representing California's 19th District

Imani Village Report 14-17• 20

Imani Village
Earns High Marks

"The rapport built between staff and students in the past three years has supported Imani
Village staff in decreasing high intensity behavioral incidents on campus and increasing
academic focus and awareness after school through tutoring. We are reliant on the resources
provided by Imani Village and do not have the fiscal viability to replace the valued program."

Chris D. Funk
Superintendent
East Side Union High School District

“The Imani Village staff has an excellent rapport with Oak Grove students and staff. We are
very happy to have them as part of our community and look forward to our continued work
together in the future.”

Kyle Kleckner
Associate Principal of Educational Development

Oak Grove High School

“To serve the population we serve in the Mayfair community is very challenging, but having
amazing support from Imani Village has made it easier for our teacher to continue to teach…
and for students to come to school and only focus on their academics for a better future. We
continue to welcome Imani Village to our ACE family and would love to continue to work with
such an amazing organization.”

Araceli Pinedo
Community Resource Coordinator

ACE Empower Academy

"We wholeheartedly support Imani Village… The program realizes that social and emotional
support is essential in servicing our children to attain healthy outcomes.”

Karen James
Lead Facilitator, BOOK Academy

Maranatha Outreach Center

“Imani Village has also been involved in coordinating workshops, cultural celebrations, and
community resource fairs for our families – free of cost to our students and community. We
appreciate their time and dedication to our students.”

Annya Artigas
Assistant Principal
Mathson Middle School

21 • Imani Village Report 14-17

“This program has become an essential part of
connecting students with early intervention and
mental health services to prevent students from
giving up on their education. We value their support
and partnership in providing our students with
social emotional support and reinforcing academic
skills needed to make strides towards closing the
achievement gap.”

Doug Kleinhenz
Principal

Renaissance Academy

Imani Village Report 14-17• 22

Imani Village 2014-2017

A collaborative of Unity Care and
Ujima Adult and Family Services,

in partnership with
Bay Area Tutoring Association,
Bible Way Christian Center, and

Maranatha Christian Center.

Unity Care Ujima Adult and Family Services
1400 Parkmoor Avenue 1898 The Alameda
Suite 115 San Jose, CA 95126
San Jose, CA 95126 Tel: (408) 928-1700
Tel: (408) 971-9822 Fax: (408) 928-1701
Fax: (408) 510-3484

www.unitycare.org

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