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The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) announced Monday that it will be providing $7 million in grants and investments to three local nonprofit organizations in East Palo Alto and the Belle Haven neighborhood in Menlo Park. The donation comes two months before the closure of The Primary School.
The shuttering of the CZI-backed, tuition-free private school will displace over 400 students at the end of June. The Ravenswood City School District recently announced it would ask voters to support another bond measure to pay for facility improvements as it prepares for the influx of students from The Primary School.
The pre-K to eight-grade school was spearheaded by Priscilla Chan, pediatrician and wife of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and offered integrated health and education services to support disadvantaged children.
CZI aims to continue its commitment to provide integrated care, early childhood support and family wellness to the community, according to the announcement. The nonprofits that will receive grants from CZI are the Ravenswood Family Health Network and Children’s Health Council, which will receive $3 million each, and the Ravenswood Early Learning will be granted $1 million.
The grant to the Children’s Health Council aims to adapt and continue The Primary School’s Parent Wellness Coaching program, CZI said in its April 13 announcement. The grant will ensure that families will have access to mental health and wellness support.
“We are committed to adapting and carrying forward the Parent Wellness Coaching program with care, continuity, and respect for the legacy of The Primary School and its families,” said Ryan Eisenberg, chief executive officer of the Children’s Health Council, in a statement.
The grant awarded to Ravenswood Family Health Network will expand its school-based medical offerings to more schools across East Palo Alto and Belle Haven to integrate physical and behavioral health care directly into school communities.
Ravenswood Early Learning’s grant will fund the launch of an early intervention initiative to strengthen developmental screenings, referrals and follow-up services for children up to 5 years old.
An additional $3.6 million will be invested into 550 education savings accounts for Primary School students, as part of the $50 million the organization invested last year, said CZI Director of Communications Jane Packer. These accounts will help families pay for future education expenses and bring CZI’s total investment in the community this year to over $10 million.
“These investments support the families, educators, and organizations of East Palo Alto and Belle Haven — and the community partners best positioned to serve them for years to come,” CZI officials said in a press release
While enrollment has been declining at most local school districts, the Ravenswood City School District is expecting an increase in the next school year due to The Primary School closure. According to Packer, CZI has provided the district with bridge funding to support the transition of its students to Ravenswood schools. The organization is also in discussions with the district about making an investment into affordable housing for teachers and staff, according to a press release.
