For many kids, the attention improves their school behavior, academic performance, and even their attitude in the play yard and at home. Since 1982, the state has funded the program in 1,350 of California's 5,000 elementary schools, with 75-130 new programs starting annually. In Visalia, that number is 70-80 percent. The program can have an important impact on the child's long-term mental health. The state assists with training, meetings, and workshops, and more than half the districts continue the program after the grant ends, Mandella says.
Teachers use objective criteria to identify students at risk.
In Visalia, PIP students closely match the ethnic and socioeconomic mix at each school. Many are struggling with the transition from kindergarten's half days to first grade's full days, or they may suffer from teasing about ugly eyeglasses, funny teeth, poor grades. Sometimes the problems are too big for PIP, which refers more severe cases to other programs. They work part-time and are trained and supervised by professional school psychologists and counselors. But the special friends let the children set the pace and tone.