State Farm Drop In for Success is an alternative education program for at-risk students who are staying in school because of service learning. It began as a weather preparedness service project in an alternative school, but the program has expanded into a full blown drop-out prevention program for some of the most at-risk students in Cullman County.

Our student profile is as follows: economically impoverished, single parent / foster family, adjudicated and former alternative school students, the disenfranchised,…but very capable students. The other side of that profile is that these students are starved for love and attention (a sense of family) and even more starved for success. Our project is designed to change the lives of these students. We keep these students in school and give them positive learning experiences through service learning.

The program’s morning block consists of individualized, web-based instruction in the core subjects; English, math, science, and social studies. One period a day the facilitator teaches the large group, and during this time curriculum connections are made between the core subjects and the service projects. Students primarily work on their individual levels on computer assisted, web based instruction; however, they also work with partners or in small groups. This helps students develop effective socialization and problem solving skills.

After lunch, students are focused on service learning. They conduct needs assessments, plan projects, implement and reflect on activities. Service projects may be whole program related or students may do projects reflecting their own unique gifts and interests. The projects that the students select have become the very means by which we keep them in school.

Since its inception in March of 2008, CARE has selected and implemented several service projects including: • Programming and distributing 300 weather radios to senior citizens and families with children outside the siren warning area • Working at the local food bank • Creating and distributing coloring books that teach weather preparedness to area k-1 graders • Training and certifying all our students in first aid and CPR • Making 100 comfort bags for the American Red Cross to use for individuals and families in emergency situations • Volunteering at the animal shelter, the Red Cross, the Samaritans Clinic, Cullman Caring for Kids, and other civic events • Cleaning up in their community by picking up trash around their school and neighboring businesses. • Advocating for the Drop In program by speaking at the area civic clubs and organizations. • Mentoring a county school on service learning

Our students, in one year, have radically changed. They love school. They are succeeding. They are happy, and without State Farm, our “good neighbors,” they would have all been drop outs - headed for nowhere.

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