The Michigan Department of Human Services recommended contracts totaling nearly $5 million to 16 community agencies to develop and enhance before- and/or after-school programs. The contracts will pay for services in 15 counties for children in kindergarten through ninth grade.

"This quality programming provides children with a safe, engaging environment to motivate and inspire learning outside the traditional classroom setting when school is not in session," said DHS director Marianne Udow. "Programs may also be provided for the families of enrolled students."

Programs were chosen through a statewide competitive bid process. In the process, 50 bids were received and 17 were selected. Proposed contracts support year-round programming that could begin in June 2005. Recommended contracts include:

Grantee	City	County	Amount
Albion Public Schools	Albion	Calhoun	$150,000
Battle Creek Public Schools	Battle Creek	Calhoun	$400,000
Child and Family Services of the Upper Peninsula	Marquette	Mackinac	$212,022
Child and Family Services of the Upper Peninsula	Marquette	Marquette	$295,593
Citizens for Progressive Change Inc.	Benton Harbor	Berrien	$429,251
Communities in Schools	Detroit	Wayne	$801,126
First Ward Community Services	Saginaw	Saginaw	$332,108
Heart of West Michigan United Way	Grand Rapids	Kent	$500,000
Highfields Inc.	Onondaga	Jackson	$113,775
Ingham County Board of Commissioners	Mason	Ingham	$150,000
Jung Do Martial Arts Academy Inc.	Flint	Genesee	$143,379
Muskegon Public Schools	Muskegon	Muskegon	$375,064
Onaway Area Community Schools	Onaway	Presque Isle & Cheboygan	$154,657
Traverse City Area Public Schools	Traverse City	Grand Traverse	$214,303
United Way of Genesee County	Flint	Genesee	$500,000
Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency	Taylor	Wayne	$125,063
West Midland Family Center	Shepherd	Midland	$73,600

Funded programs must include academic assistance, including assistance with reading and writing, and must incorporate at least three of the following components:

• Abstinence-based pregnancy prevention.
• Nonmedical chemical abuse and dependency prevention/awareness.
• Gang violence prevention.
• Preparation toward future self-sufficiency.
• Leadership development.
• Case management or mentoring.
• Parental involvement.
• Anger management.

For more information go to www.michigan.gov/dhs