Muncie renews funding for ‘City Connects’ school program

MUNCIE, Ind. — The city of Muncie is renewing funding for an impactful school program, providing $100,000 for each of the next three years.

Since 2021, Muncie Community Schools’ City Connects program has assisted with student success. According to a press release, it provides family navigators to six of the nine schools in the district. These family navigators are trained professionals, often working as a masters’ level social worker, mental health professional or school counselor. They are committed to assessing each student’s strengths and needs, thereby developing a plan that helps them reach their goals and potential.

The city of Muncie wrote that the family navigators focus on four different areas:

• Academics
• Social, emotional and behavior needs
• Health
• Family

“Investing in the success of our youth is the most important thing we can do,” Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour said. “This program helps children and families thrive in our community.”

Currently, Muncie Community Schools has family navigators at East Washington Academy, Grissom Elementary, Longfellow Elementary, South View Elementary and Southside Middle School. This fall, it will also implement them into Central High School, a press release said.

“The City Connects program is making a big difference in our schools, and it’s extremely gratifying to see that the city and Mayor Ridenour recognize that,” MCS Director of Public Education and CEO Dr. Chuck Reynolds said. “Without this support, we wouldn’t be able to maintain a full staff of family navigators who are assisting some of our most vulnerable students, allowing them to overcome significant challenges and succeed in the classroom. This investment helps change students’ lives in very meaningful ways.”

For more information on the program, click here.

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