Hospitals in Action >> Case Examples

MERITCARE HEALTH SYSTEM - Fargo, North Dakota
Adopt-a-School Program

Overview
MeritCare Health System is a not-for-profit integrated health care system with a service area spanning 250 miles west to east; from Jamestown, N.D. to Bemidji, Minn.  The system has the largest hospital in North Dakota—583 beds at two locations—and is the largest private employer in North Dakota.  In fall 1999, to help address the needs of children from lower-income families, MeritCare became the first corporation in Fargo, N.D.-Moorhead, Minn., to develop an Adopt-a-School program.  The organization adopted Roosevelt Elementary School in Fargo, just a few blocks from MeritCare’s main campus.  The decision to adopt Roosevelt was based on America’s Promise, which encourages employees to give back to their community by volunteering their time and talents to help kids stay healthy—physically, mentally, and emotionally.  MeritCare and Roosevelt leaders partnered to develop a multifaceted program.  Current partnership activities include mentoring, classroom reading, safety and wellness education, career exploration and summer art enrichment.

Impact
Since its inception, the Roosevelt program has grown from 9 mentors to 34 mentors and 17 classroom readers. Of the students matched with a mentor for the 2007-2008 school year: 82 percent did not receive a discipline referral; 89 percent made positive gains on spring math and reading tests; 75 percent were either proficient or advanced in math; 70 percent were either proficient or advanced in reading; and 70 percent missed fewer than 10 days of school.

From a community outreach perspective, MeritCare’s role as a community partner has been enhanced.  Local families feel more comfortable when they are at the hospital, as they are familiar with MeritCare staff.

Challenges/success factors
During the first year of the program, the school’s program coordinator identified 30 students who needed mentoring.  Logistical challenges such as how to get 30 volunteers at once for mentoring, when to conduct background checks of mentors, and when to conduct the mentoring were addressed.  Program leaders ultimately decided to have the mentoring take place during school hours to keep the focus on school.

Future direction/sustainability
Roosevelt’s program has expanded from elementary to middle school.  Mentors will “follow” their fifth-grade protégés into sixth grade to help them acclimate to the new school, if the students are interested.  In addition, there is now more of a physical health focus.  For example, program leaders are partnering with a dental hygienist to offer dental exams, and there is now a walking club to focus on obesity issues.

Since implementation of the Roosevelt program, all 19 schools in the Fargo Public School District have been adopted by community partners through the efforts of the Fargo Public School Development Foundation. The partnership is different in every school. The foundation is currently exploring funding for the development of a district-wide mentoring program based on the Roosevelt/MeritCare model as part of their high school dropout prevention initiative.

Advice to others
Start small and partner early with school leadership to ensure that your plans align with the school’s needs.

Contact: Susan Munyer
MeritCare Community Youth Coordinator
Telephone: (701) 234-6202
E-mail: susan.munyer@meritcare.com