Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Higher Ground a Resource Center
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 27883
City: Tucson
State: AZ
Postal Code: 85726
Main Phone: (520) 981-5872
Main Fax:
Organization Website: https://www.higherground.me/
Employer ID Number: 27-3585869
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 03/19/2024
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: Restart SMART – General Operating
Project Description:

Higher Ground, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to facilitating connections between students, families, and community resources, providing support systems to develop skills, and offering assistance as needed. Through its adaptation of the community schools model called Restart SMART, Higher Ground enhances existing efforts around non-academic needs in Southern Arizona. Restart SMART, emphasizing Strategic, Mindful, Agile and Aware, Resilient, and Trauma-Responsive approaches, operates in eight schools, seven in Tucson and one in Chandler, selected based on high-risk factors like chronic absenteeism and poverty rates.

Each school hosts an in-person team comprising a Site Director, Family Support Specialist, and Student Support Specialist, integrating life skill development, trauma-responsive practices, and executive function support. Collaborating with community organizations, these teams provide resources to students and families, enabling teachers and principals to focus on education quality.

Higher Ground’s mission is empowering one life at a time to Reach, Transform, and Elevate their community through love and character-building. Restart SMART addresses pandemic-induced challenges and deep-seated inequities by deploying specialized teams trained in research-backed methods. These teams build relationships within school communities, employing Data-Powered Strategic Coaching to track progress and identify needs, collaborating with local resources to address gaps.

The Data-Powered Strategic Coaching Method tracks student progress, sets goals, provides services, and informs improvement strategies. Restart SMART operates on four pillars: integrated student support, collaborative leadership, active family and student engagement, and extended learning opportunities. Through these strategies, Higher Ground achieves academic success, community involvement, student health and support, family engagement, improved attendance, reduced discipline incidents, enrollment stability, and enhanced professional development and collaboration within communities.

Total Project Budget: $2,334,118.56

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Pending submissions with federal, state, and municipal entities that may include this amount.

Project Duration: 2024-2025 School Year
Geographical Area Served: South Tucson, AZ & Chandler, AZ
Age Group To Be Served: Elementary School and Middle School

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Rachel
Contact Last Name: Joseph
Contact Title: Grant Writer
Contact Phone: 5206471150
Contact Email: racheljoseph@higherground.me