Leap Frog
Contact: Rosie McDavid, Director (601) 234-1269
Purpose: To provide a nurturing environment in which "at-risk"
first and second grade students can develop and enhance the necessary 
skills for academic success, build protective, ongoing relationships 
with adults and improve self-esteem.

Background: The Leap Frog program began at St. Peter's 
Episcopal Church in 1988.  Because of the success of the program, 
additional sites at Oxford-University Methodist Church and Lafayette 
Elementary started in January 1997 and Fall 1997 respectively.  At 
this time, Leap Frog is the only program of its kind  serving first 
and second grade students in the Oxford-Lafayette area.

Program Operations: Leap Frog provides after school tutoring 
and enrichmentfor 55 Lafayette Country first and second graders in 
three locations. Each child is paired with an adult tutor for at 
least one semester.  The tutor works with the child in collaboration 
with the child's teacher to focus on problem areas.  Adult 
tutors/mentors assist in modeling appropriate behaviors and 
reinforcing positive behaviors and responses in their students.  
During the first hour of the program, the tutor and student work 
together on completing homework assignments, including reading, 
spelling and math.  Interactive educational materials are also 
available if a child completes his work before tutoring is over, 
or if he does not have assigned work that day.  During the second 
hour of the program, enrichment activities are provided for the 
students in a group setting. Activities always include refreshments, 
a story-time and free play.  Other activities may include 
storytelling, cooking, games, arts and crafts, parties and guests 
from the community sharing special talents.  At the end of the 
session, children are either picked up by their parents or a 
volunteer car pool will transport them home.  The Leap Frog 
graduate program provides weekly follow-up services to third grade 
"graduates" at Oxford Elementary.  About fifteen students receive 
this follow up support.  Both the tutoring and follow-up program aim 
at assisting the child in successfully completing his academic grade, 
i.e., being promoted to the next grade; improving self-esteem; and 
introducing gang prevention curriculum.

Outcomes: In 1996, the Leap Frog program served approximately 
ninety-eight students.  In 1997, it served 125 students.  Because of 
increased funding, additional staff was hired to administer and 
implement the program. After conducting an informal survey of 
teachers at one of the schools which the students come from and 
finding that Leap Frog is serving approximately 50% of the children 
who could benefit from it, Leap Frog hopes to continually increase 
the number of children served and to recruit appropriate locations
in which the program can operate.


LINK, Information and Referral
Contact: Machelle Dorman, Project Coordinator (601) 232-1046
Purpose: To provide human service needs in Lafayette County.

Background: LINK, Information and Referral is a service that 
began in January 1996 to connect Lafayette County residents with 
local and state programs and services. It is operated out of the 
University of Mississippi Social Work Department.

Program Operations: LINK gathers information about the human 
service needs in Lafayette County and gives that information to 
agencies, organizations, community groups and public officials.  
LINK serves individuals, organizations, social service agencies, 
schools, industries, professionals and anyone else in need of 
assistance in Oxford and Lafayette County.  The LINK line telephone 
service operates between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. 
Staff specialists provide information, referrals, and consultation 
at no charge with confidentiality.  In its two years of operation, 
LINK has received calls about housing services, health services, 
support groups, volunteer services, recreational programs, child 
care services, drug and alcohol abuse and legal assistance services.  
Within the local community, LINK has aided or participated in Head 
Start Christmas parties, car seat drives, coats for kids, 
Children's Scholarship Fund, volunteer coordination, Child Abuse 
Prevention Month, and community forums.

Outcomes: As of February 1998, the Oxford/Lafayette County 
Resource Directory consists of 601 profiles.  Sixty-seven resource 
directories have been distributed and 1758 calls have been 
received.  Within the community, eight community development 
projects have been implemented. Community forums were held at the 
following locations: Oxford Housing Authority, Oxford High School, 
Second Baptist Church, New Prospect Baptist Church, Social Services 
Conference and in the Social Work Department.


Oxford Community Playground
Contact: Tom or Laura Fowlkes (601) 234-7601 or 238-3045
Purpose: To bring together the Oxford community and build a new 
		    playground at Avent Park.

Program Operations: The Oxford Community Playground will 
provide children of all ages new challenges, exercise and fun in 
Lafayette County. It simultaneously presents the opportunity for 
local residents to unite in support of a project that will benefit 
the children for years to come. Currently, financial and physical 
help are needed.  On 14 February 1998, a "Change from the Heart" 
fundraiser was held on the courthouse lawn.  A "barn-raising" for 
the playground is planned for 31 March through 5 April.  
Volunteers--about 2500 are needed--will help with construction 
work in morning (8 a.m. to 12 noon), afternoon (12:30 p.m. to 
5 p.m.), and evening (5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.) shifts starting 31 
March.  The Tuesday through Sunday project will provide lunch and 
supper for its volunteers and child care for children under ten.  
Since there will be jobs for everyone, children ten and older may 
work alongside parents.Volunteers should come prepared to work 
because no rain dates are scheduled.


Please contact us if you have information on other 
Programs that Work

 welcometable@olemiss.edu