Aiken Families in Transition receives $191K grant 7/5/2009 9:37 PM
By ROB NOVIT Senior writer
For the past four years, Michelle Arthur has worked with kids and their parents in an unusual and profound way - coordinating visitations and supervised exchanges for children whose parents are divorced or are no longer together as a couple.
Now Arthur has added another way to support children. Aiken Families in Transition - the agency she established - has been awarded a federal 21st Century Learning Centers grant. With the $191,000 award, she will establish an after-school program at North Aiken Elementary School in partnership with the school.
"We wanted to branch out in the community," Arthur said. "What better way to do that than by collaborating with a school?"
North Aiken will continue a parent-pay, after-school program through a contract with the Family Y, said principal Rhonda Ray. The grant will allow 125 students to be served, based on academic and other needs, at no cost to parents.
"I'm very excited about this partnership," said Ray. "Dr. Arthur knows a lot about parenting and the needs of the whole child. She can provide quality workshops for the parents and cultural enrichment opportunities that students might not get outside of the grant."
In the latest competitive cycle, 40 grants were awarded statewide through federal No Child Left Behind funding. Other Aiken County public schools have or have had Learning Centers grants through applications from the school district directly or through the Sunshine House corporation.
In a press release, State Superintendent Dr. Jim Rex said an extended learning day can be helpful to children, because it can enhance instruction that takes place during regular school hours.
"Students who are struggling in class can get a real academic boost in a well-run after-school setting," Rex said.
North Aiken's new program will include academic activities, a Junior Achievement component, fitness and nutrition and hands-on programs that emphasize critical thinking.
"We want the students to see how what they learn from the academic side applies to real-life situations," said Ray.
At Aiken Families in Transition, Arthur saw a need for such visitation services several years ago. She employs part-time, independent contractors to join her in working with families. In effect, the agency provides supervised visitations at its Richland Avenue facility or in residences or off-site locations. Referrals come through Family Court or through the families directly.
"There usually are issues, such as one parent trying to alienate the affection of the other," Arthur said. "There may be allegations against the non-custodial parent that have not been proven. We keep it civil and offer no opinion as to who's right or wrong."
During visitations, the arrival of the parents are staggered so that they don't confront each other, sparing the children from being caught in the middle of such encounters. The agency is funded through private pay and donations. All financial contributions, said Arthur, are used to provide the agency with a full kitchen, cooking materials and toys that can be utilized during visitations.
"We create the semblance of a home," Arthur said. "In this new direction, we will still be working with children and their families. I know we can make a difference."
Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.
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Comment Title: AFIT
This facility is fine it is the ignorant people who come and have their visits their. maybe if you were civilized to the other parent you would need them.
Posted by: On: 7/7/2009
Comment Title: AFIT Watch Dog Group
Can't read the reviews there? Perhaps we should start one on in a Yahoo group?
Posted by: GYN On: 7/7/2009
Comment Title: AFIT Watch Dog Group
I agree with the watch dog group for monitoring actions of Ms. Arthur. lets set it up at: http://web2.userinstinct.com/39420428-aiken-families-in-transition.htm#review
Posted by: SN On: 7/6/2009
Comment Title: Fact
I believe that, everyone should know how M. Arthur treats people with disabilities also; she has no need for them.
Posted by: TTS On: 7/6/2009
Comment Title: Involuntary Service
Some good parents were forced into utilizing the service by the lying to the courts. No loving parent would utilize a service where they have to pay money to pick up there own children, pay money if they are a few minutes late for pickup, and pay money to change their pickup dates. What a rip-off! It is better to exchange at the Walmart.
Posted by: Mary P. On: 7/6/2009
Comment Title: No child left behing funding?
The schools in SC are at the bottom of the heap, not because of lack of money (I've never seen a dollar bill teach a child) but because parents and their children are not TURNED ON to education. For years there has been plenty of money in the system, this bottom of the heap didn't just start this year it started in 1960 when the bar was lowered instead of raised. Now get off of Sanford he's guilty of a lot of things but screwing over the education of our children began a long time ago.
Posted by: On: 7/6/2009
Comment Title: No Child Left Behind Funding?
Wow...I would think some of this grant money would be better used INSIDE the schools!!! Just that grant alone would have saved over 15 jobs cut this summer. How many textbooks could you buy for that amount? How many school supplies would that cover? And why is SC on the bottom of the list when it comes to education? Ask the governor, if you can find him.
Posted by: On: 7/6/2009
Comment Title:
If you don't like her, don't use her service. Some people are born to COMPLAIN, and that means YOU.
Posted by: On: 7/6/2009
Comment Title:
Just another example of wasteful spending of the taxpayer's money.
Posted by: On: 7/6/2009
Comment Title: Watch Dog Group Needed
YES!!! I also agree with what you have wrote.
Posted by: On: 7/6/2009
Comment Title: Shocked and horrified
I have used the services of Families in Transition myself also on several occasions. The staff was always professional and courtious to my family as well as others as far as my observation. I was privy to one outburst from another client and this was handeled in the utmost professional manner and all was well in the facility once again. If it were not for Mrs. Arthur how many others parents would be exchanging thier children in the Wal-Mart parking lot? I believe that what Mrs. Arthur has attempted to do has only made our community a safer and better environment for my children. Thank you Aiken Families in Transition and don't let others negativity deter you from your outstanding work within our community.
Posted by: RFT On: 7/6/2009
Comment Title: Watch Dog Group Needed
I have not personally seen any issues with the staff @ AFIT as of yet however, I have found Mrs. Arthur to be very unprofessional with her attitude toward the non-custodial parent. I think that it would be prudent for a watch dog organization to be set up to officially monitor activities and complaints at AFIT. Does anyone agree?
Posted by: On: 7/6/2009
Comment Title:
"Dr. Jim Rex said an extended learning day can be helpful to children". Sure why not let the state rasie the kids!
Posted by: AGW On: 7/6/2009
Comment Title: I disagree
I find Dr. Arthur and her staff to be excellent. I know nothing about the other comment writers, and I don't know their situation, but unless a parent is acting out, adding hostility to the environment, or other wise causing a situation, I have never heard a VALID complaint, and I have used Families in Transition many times, representing both fathers and mothers.
Posted by: NOT SO PLEASED On: 7/6/2009
Comment Title:
My kids had visitation through their Mrs.Arthur was great but when she wasnt there the place was not ran like it was suppose too!!! Her so called workers made friends with the parent having their visits their and were rude an hateful and acted like you were the enemy!!!
Posted by: YKW On: 7/6/2009
Comment Title: Parents not treated equally at AFIT
It has been my experience that Mrs. Arthur shows favoratism between one parent over the other especially, if that parent is a personal friend or social associate of Mrs. Arthur. All others be damed. Has anyone else seen this attitude?
Posted by: OMG On: 7/5/2009
Comment Title: Seen IT IN Action!!!
We keep it civil and offer no opinion as to who's right or wrong." She is kidding right?! I feel for the families that uses her services. Mrs. Arthur has no education in this area, and lacks compassion for others.
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