Golden LEAF grant opens sensory learning doors for local org – Salisbury Post

Golden LEAF grant opens sensory learning doors for local org ...  Salisbury Post

Golden LEAF grant opens sensory learning doors for local org – Salisbury Post

Golden LEAF grant opens sensory learning doors for local org - Salisbury Post

Golden LEAF Grant Opens Sensory Learning Doors for Local Organization

Published 12:00 am Thursday, July 20, 2023

Introduction

Partners In Learning has received a $300,000 grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation. This funding will enable the organization to establish a sensory room for children with autism and hire staff to support it.

Golden LEAF Foundation Support

The Golden LEAF Foundation is pleased to support the expansion of Partners In Learning. According to Golden LEAF President and CEO Scott T. Hamilton, the addition of a clinic and sensory room for individuals with autism will create 35 new professional and paraprofessional jobs and enhance the organization’s services.

Open Grants Program Funding

The Golden LEAF Foundation Board of Directors awarded a total of $1,296,301 in Open Grants Program funding on June 1. Out of this amount, $300,000 was allocated to Partners In Learning for the construction costs associated with the clinic and sensory room. The remaining funds will support job creation, economic investment, and workforce preparedness in Alamance, Forsyth, Jackson, and Rowan counties.

Impact on Employment and Credentials

The expansion of Partners In Learning will lead to the creation of 35 new professional and paraprofessional positions. Additionally, 48 new and current employees will have the opportunity to earn third-party industry credentials on-site.

Importance of Qualified Staff

Partners In Learning is a major employer in Rowan County, employing over 80 staff members. The organization prioritizes employing highly qualified staff to ensure a high-quality program. Therefore, they support their staff’s continuing education, certifications, and trainings.

About the Golden LEAF Foundation

The Golden LEAF Foundation is an independent and perpetual foundation that works to increase economic opportunity in North Carolina’s rural and tobacco-dependent communities. They achieve this through leadership in grantmaking, collaboration, innovation, and stewardship.

Gratitude for Support

Partners In Learning expresses their gratitude for the support of the Golden LEAF Foundation. They aim to continue being a leader and model center for inclusion, education, and therapies.

Expansion of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Program

The funding provided by the Golden LEAF Foundation is critical to expanding Partners In Learning’s Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program. The organization will now have an ABA clinic with specifically designed materials and furniture to support children’s social, emotional, and gross motor development. Additionally, they will have a professional training room for educators, professionals, parents, and anyone seeking to expand their knowledge and skills.

Community Room and Services

Partners In Learning will also have a community room open to the public for support groups, gatherings, and meetings. This space aims to provide a welcoming environment for all. The organization’s efforts to expand services to community families are enhanced by this funding.

Addressing the Waitlist

The new facility will address the growing waitlist of families seeking services from Partners In Learning. Currently, the organization is unable to accommodate all families due to limited space. The addition of the sensory room will provide much-needed support for children with autism.

Supporting Families and Strengthening Community Relationships

Partners In Learning aims to reduce the burden and stress on families by providing a comprehensive support system. They also prioritize building strong connections within the community. The organization offers various support groups for grandparents raising grandchildren, families in foster care, families adopting, individuals with autism, parents of children with special needs, and teacher support groups. Partners In Learning is committed to creating a bridge of connections that will support and strengthen individuals and families in the community.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

  • SDG 4: Quality Education
  • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
  • SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

  • SDG 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including among others through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles.
  • SDG 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
  • SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
  • SDG 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

  • Number of professional and paraprofessional jobs created (Indicator for SDG 8.5)
  • Number of employees earning 3rd-party industry credentials on-site (Indicator for SDG 8.5)
  • Number of individuals with autism served by the clinic and sensory room (Indicator for SDG 10.2)
  • Number of support groups and connections within the community (Indicator for SDG 17.17)

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs Targets Indicators
SDG 4: Quality Education 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including among others through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles. N/A
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value. – Number of professional and paraprofessional jobs created
– Number of employees earning 3rd-party industry credentials on-site
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status. – Number of individuals with autism served by the clinic and sensory room
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships. – Number of support groups and connections within the community

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: salisburypost.com

 

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