MindSpark & Todd County: Native Community Partnership for Resiliency

About This Project

Summary

MindSpark and Todd County, home to the Lakota Community, partnered on a multi-year project to implement community-based, problem solving solutions. Todd County has numerous challenges: high poverty rates, below-average life expectancies, preservation of the rich Lakota Heritage, and an educational achievement gap. The Todd County School District found its students performing three grade levels BELOW the national average, and its families have one of the lowest socioeconomic statuses in the US.

Goals & Objectives

Objects of the partnership campaign included: the recognition of community as a unity of identity, to draw on existing community strengths & resources, facilitate equitable partnerships, promote co-learning & capacity building, & share a long-term commitment to partnership & sustainability.

Results & Impact

75 educators and 95% of the student body (1,895 students) participated in program activities, 155 institute and coaching hours were designed and facilitated, student internship & leadership programs bloomed, of impacted students 63% now perform above the district average on state tests.