Intervention Services: Project Uplift
Employee & Family Resources' Project Uplift offers culturally-specific support services for youth and families in Polk County. The program's intervention services are available in three forms: Project Uplift Case Management, School Drop-out Prevention Groups, and Language Interpreting Services.
Project Uplift Case Management focuses on multiple-risk youth and families, providing them with research-based wraparound case management services in a variety of languages in addition to English (including Spanish, Thai, Tai Dam, and Lao). School Drop-out Prevention Groups provide youth with opportunities to examine relevant issues in culturally- or gender-specific contexts. Language Interpreting Services in various languages assure that clients or family members have increased access to services and opportunities.
Case Management and School Drop-out Prevention Services are available throughout the entire year and free of charge through the support of United Way of Central Iowa. Intervention Specialists are well connected to the communities they serve and are trained to provide the highest quality of services.
- Watch a brief video about Project Uplift services
Case Management
Project Uplift's Intervention Specialists work with youth and families when concerns about school performance, behavior, or attendance have been identified. The case managers regularly involve parents, schools, juvenile court officers, and social service providers to develop individualized action plans that target various life and learning skills with a strong emphasis on academic success. Youth and families receive specialized assistance in areas such as educational goals (i.e. grades and attendance), career/vocational planning, legal advocacy, communication skills, family relationship development, interpretation and access to services, positive social competencies, and so on. Staff ensures that appropriate referrals to other programs and services are made, needed services are provided, and that a multifaceted, supportive team is formed and maintained to help the youth and family stay on track.
Youth or adults may request services and referrals are also accepted from schools and other service providers. Click here to access the Case Management Referral Form.
School Drop-out Prevention Groups
These weekly, biweekly, or monthly groups provide supportive culturally and/or gender-specific services to middle and high school students to enhance their desire and ability to graduate from high school. The groups help youth establish or enhance coping skills to deal with emotional, peer and family issues that frequently interfere with learning or educational goals. The groups offer peer support and an alternative learning environment, with research-based activities and curricula that enhance interaction and critical life skill development. Participants are encouraged to stay in school by tracking attendance and encouraging participation, as well as stressing the importance of education. Additional language assistance is provided to students for whom English is a second language. In addition to a goal of graduation (or passing to the next grade), the groups introduce and demonstrate positive group involvement, provide a sense of identity and belonging, in contrast to risky alternatives such as gang involvement or substance use. Students are also exposed to various colleges, education/career planning, and other services in the community (i.e. domestic abuse services, health care organizations, services for immigrant families, etc.).
Language Interpreting Services
EFR staff can provide interpreting services in the following languages: Spanish, Laotian, Thai and Tai Dam. Other languages may be arranged as requested depending on availability of interpreters. Language Interpreting Services may involve a fee for service. Contact the office for scheduling and pricing information.
To get more information, request services, or make a referral, please contact EFR Community Services.
