Grant Designed To Help Troubled Students In Palm Springs

Students in the Palm Springs Unified School District will continue to receive life counseling thanks to a $40,000-plus grant given to Jewish Family Service of the Desert, it was announced today.

The Desert Healthcare District approved a grant of $44,905 to the nonprofit organization, which will use the funds to continue KidsFirst in PSUSD. Funding for the program, which mentors children age 5-17 to help them deal with challenges in their lives, has been nearly eliminated at district schools.

“We know that as children process complex emotional issues, they often act out and manifest inappropriate behaviors,” said Dan Bass, executive director of Jewish Family Service. “This funding will allow us to better assist students with a wide range of issues.”

Leaders of Jewish Family Service estimate that the funding supplied by the Desert Healthcare District will contribute to counseling assistance for more than 500 at-risk youth.

“KidsFirst provides vital access to a service that there is a demonstrated need for in the community,” said Sidney Rubenstein, a board member of Desert Healthcare District. “We are proud to help them identify these community service gaps and create effective programs that meet these gaps.”

There are no other similar counseling programs within PSUSD, Desert Healthcare District spokesman Tim O’Bayley said.