The Eldon School District will receive $340,000 in federal funds to improve at-risk students' chances for success.
The Missouri Community Service Commission awarded the money as part of $9.8 million in funds aimed at placing 759 AmeriCorps members with 19 programs across the state.
Eldon will host 30 AmeriCorps members who provide academic intervention for at-risk students. Eight of the AmeriCorps members will also mentor students to improve academic engagement and social emotional skills in the district's five campuses - which include two elementary schools, a middle school, a high school and Mustang Academy, which is an alternative high school.
AmeriCorps members are responsible for improving math and literacy proficiency for those in kindergarten through eighth grade.
The grant requires a $115,000 local match.
More American Rescue Plan funds supporting the investment in students are to be released later this year.
The commission is accepting applications for the 2022-2023 AmeriCorps program year. Applicants should be community or faith-based organizations, institutions of higher education or governmental entities.
Successful applications will recruit, train, place and supervise AmeriCorps members who will serve between 100-1,700 hours with the goal of alleviating or eliminating a defined community need. Upon completion of service, members earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award from the National Service Trust that can pay for higher education expenses or be applied to qualified student loans. This is a three-year competitive grant that will be continued annually.
To learn how to apply for AmeriCorps funding, visit showmeservice.org/grants.