Aiken Families in Transition receives $191K grant

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.