Most Kimball area students and teachers are relishing their final days of summer, but for Sara Watts, school has already started. Watts was hired as a Family Advocate for the Kimball Area School District in early July. “I am really excited to be here,” she said. The void Watts fills is one left open when the school district’s social worker, Erin MacPherson, resigned in March 2002. “Because of budget cuts, we were never able to replace the position,” said Jon Clark, Kimball Elementary School principal. “It became evident last year that we still needed the services provided by that position.” With the fiscal backing of the Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota, the Kimball School District received a grant from the Stearns County Family Service Collaborative. Clark said he hopes the year-long contract will receive continuous renewal from the collaborative so the position is always available. New position provides more According to Clark, the duties of the Family Advocate extend a bit beyond those of the former social work position filled by MacPherson. “We wanted to make the position more available to families,” Clark said. “To help them navigate through the county’s red tape.” Watts was chosen from the first applicant screening conducted by Ken Johnson, Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota coordinator. Watts was one of four candidates selected from the pool of 35 applicants. “In the second screening, the applicants were presented to us,” Clark said. “The members of the community, teachers, parents and administrators all sat on the interview board.” The roots of a Family Advocate Originally from Hendersen, Minn., Watts currently lives in St. Cloud. “I came there for school and just never left,” she said. Watts received her Masters in Community Counseling from St. Cloud State University in 1999. She spent time working at the St. Cloud and Monticello hospitals, where she facilitated group discussions with adults and adolescents. “The goal was to help someone who was struggling to get back on their feet,” she said. Watts said she was excited to be selected for this position because unlike her previous experiences, it allows her to work directly with families as opposed to individuals. Since she was hired by the Kimball Area School District, Watts has begun working with area churches, and hanging flyers to help make the community aware of her presence. The Family Advocate position, which has also been adopted by schools in Rocori and Sauk Rapids, is one Clark identifies as significant. “There are a lot of things that affect children’s learning in school,” Clark said. “Changes in family dynamics, non-tradititional family make-ups. This is a service that we provide to help teachers and parents to help children deal with these issues.” Free, confidential There are many services the Family Advocate will offer the community, from education to counsultation. “I have a lot of resources I can provide,” Watts said. “Everyone has a time in their lives when they could use extra information on a topic. It’s better to admit we need help early before the problem escalates.” Watts’ services are free and confidential, and do not require referrals. Her office houses a “lending library,” where her clients can find information in book and video form. Individuals are encouraged to contact the Family Advocate if they have: • Parenting questions • Recent family change • Financial concerns • Difficulties completing paper work for support services. • Would like to know more about mental illnesses. To contact Sara Watts, call (320) 398-7700, extension 207.
