Santa Maria Bonita School District
NLD ID #87859
Program Overview
Santa Maria Fighting Back
Santa Maria-Bonita School District will partner with Santa Maria Fighting Back to run the Exito Program which will be funded by the Toyota Grant
Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley’s mission is to achieve resiliency against substance abuse, reduce instances of violence and promote a safe and health community for youth and families. They have been serving the community for over 12 years helping parents whose children are participating in risky behavior. Their first priority is to ensure that all children attend school regularly. Then the focus shifts to school engagement. The staff partner with the students family and encourages parents to attend parenting classes that FBSMV offers for free. This partnership has been part of a successful attendance strategy as well as parent involvement and engagement.
The area targeted will be the area serviced by THRIVE Santa Maria and an area near Adam and Sanchez Schools. Santa Maria is a low socio-economic area with nearly 80% of all students qualifying for Free or Reduced School Lunch, 90% of the students are Hispanic. 39% of the area adults lack a high school diploma. The area's median age is 28.6. The enrollment of children in local schools respresents the highest level of education that will be achieved by many local families.
