Extended Family has received a $10,000 grant through the generosity of Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center, and the Atrium Health Floyd-Polk Foundation for 2026-27. These funds will be used to continue Extended Family for Kids and Extended Family Leadership Academy for children in kindergarten through 12th grades in Cherokee County, Alabama.
Extended Family for Kids (EFK) is an evidence-based, 9-lesson curriculum for students who have any loved one has ever been incarcerated. Studies consistently show that family incarceration causes mental and behavioral health issues for children of all ages. EFK addresses these health concerns with lessons that build self-esteem, ease feelings of shame, ease isolation, decrease stress, address anger issues, and strengthen communication skills.
Extended Family Leadership Academy (EFLA) is an 18-lesson series for older students who need extra support to be successful as they work toward graduation and their futures, using the motto, “Lead yourself.” Lessons focus on job readiness, health (including mental health and healthy relationships), financial independence, and effective communication. Each series is designed around the career interests of the group and highlights guest presenters from the community who discuss their careers and their journey to success. EFLA allows students to make important connections with community leaders who can help them as they move into jobs after high school.
We offer EFK and EFLA programs in every school in Cherokee County, led by Extended Family staff, and in the STAR juvenile diversion program. We have served hundreds of students in Cherokee County with the continued support of the Cherokee County Board of Education, administrators, counselors, teachers, and staff, as well as the STAR and juvenile probation programs. With this grant from the Atrium Health Floyd-Polk Foundation, we will continue to deliver character development lessons to students through our EFK/EFLA programs.
Our goals in working with students through Extended Family for Kids and Extended Family Leadership Academy are to prevent kids from entering the juvenile justice system, reduce the recidivism rate among youth offenders, and to break the generational cycle of incarceration in families. When we meet our goals, we create safer neighborhoods and communities for everyone.
For more information about Extended Family and our programs, including becoming part of our team, visit our website @ www.extendedfamilyhelp.org and visit us on Facebook, X, and Instagram @extendedfamilyhelp.