Sioux City, Iowa – The Sioux City Community School District along with Siouxland Human Investment Partnership (SHIP) and Sky Ranch Behavioral Services has received a five-year grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration through the 2023 Behavioral Health Partnerships for Early Diversion of Adults and Youth Program.
SHIP and Sky Ranch, along with other community partners, will support the District through the delivery of Sky Ranch SHIELD, a culturally-affirming evidence-based diversion initiative. The initiative’s goal is to divert 500 youth prior to arrest and booking and impact 2,500 beneficiaries of youth, families, and providers over the five-year grant period.
The grant will focus on youth ages 11 to 18 in grades 5 through 12, including youth impacted by poverty, low academic performance, and other identified barriers. Minority youth will also be prioritized including indigenous, African American, Latino, and LGBTQIA+ youth.
Research has shown that early diversion efforts can significantly impact student achievement, helping to increase resiliency skills, enhance engagement with school, and improve overall student well-being.
"We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with SHIP and Sky Ranch to enhance the awareness and identification of mental health as well as implement early diversion and intervention strategies to enhance support of our students and families,” says Dr. Rod Earleywine, superintendent of Sioux City Community School District. “Our district will be better positioned to prevent and address at-risk behaviors at an earlier stage through the SHIELD grant.”
SHIELD is built upon a foundation of the current capacity and gaps in the service community for youth experiencing substance abuse and mental health challenges as identified by youth and endorsed by the District, Sioux City Police Department School Resource Officers, and liaison officers in the schools.