MFS Reports to County on Success of SF2020

As a part of the Successful Families 2020 (SF2020) program, Metropolitan Family Service is working with a coalition of community-based providers to improve outcomes for youth of color, from “cradle to career.” The Multnomah County Board was briefed on the progress of the initiative last Tuesday.

“The Multnomah County partnership has really elevated SF2020 from what was initially an academic initiative to a real world learning lab in two school districts,” Keith Thomajan, President and Chief Executive Officer of United Way of the Columbia-Willamette told Commissioners. “There is no bigger or comprehensive approach to effectively serving kids and families of color in the region. That’s thanks to your investment.”

The program serves eight schools in two school districts. SF2020 schools have high levels of racial and cultural diversity and large numbers of families living in poverty. Disparities in the classroom have been shown to result in poor health outcomes in the future. The program aims to shape a generation of leaders by setting them up for success early in life.

Staff provide a combination of case management, after school programming, and family support to program participants. Because staff work directly in the schools, the program increases the number of adults of color in the building, surrounding SF2020 students with more positive role models.

“We tried something new,” Chair Deborah Kafoury said. “It’s working, and it means really so much. I think this is just the beginning.”

(Photo, from left: Peggy Samolinski of the Multnomah County Department of County Human Services, Judy Strand of Metropolitan Family Service, Dr. Carlos Richard of United Way, and Keith Thomajan of United Way)

Additional providers include: Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization, Native American Youth and Family Center, Latino Network, and Self Enhancement, Inc..

Via Multnomah County, Oregon

December 17, 2018