The Objective of the Johnson-O’Malley (JOM) program is to provide assistance to Indigenous students attending Ignacio and Bayfield Public schools, through a supplemental program of services planned, developed, and approved by the Indian Education Parent Committee.
Eligibility
- Need to show proof of 1/4 Indian blood with a certificate of Indian blood (C.I.B.) for any Federally recognized tribe or
- Birth certificate and parents’ C.I.B. (to show blood lineage) to show proof of first descendance from one parent
- Must be age 3 to 18
- Must attend Ignacio or Bayfield school districts
Historically, JOM has Provided Assistance with
School Supply distribution/Educational Support Items
Each year JOM eligible students have the unique opportunity to obtain their school supplies through funding from the JOM program. Supplies for Middle and High School students are generalized and requests for specialized supplies can be submitted to the JOM Program to be approved by the parent committee. In recent years JOM has offered assistance with science labs, math labs, and elective courses for supplies as they are unique and specialized, and not a duplication of any service already provided by federal funding in the district.
Educational Support Items may include: items that are required in order for students to participate/excel in a class such as, but not limited to: School supplies, shop supplies, lab fees, Home Economics supplies, Testing Fees (ACT/SAT), glasses, graduation cap and gown; Extracurricular Supplies, including sports, cultural, camps, science projects, band, art, etc. school-sponsored athletic training, and online courses designed to take place of the school required curriculum.
Tutoring
JOM will not supplant programs already in place within the school district; it’s our goal to support these activities and offer our Indigenous students the means to increase their studying capacity.
Parent Involvement
Parent and guardian involvement is encouraged, however there may be lack of knowledge and cultural differences within the education system that limit parents/guardians in our community to be involved. The Southern Ute Education Department partners with the Johnson-O’Malley program to act as a liaison between parents and the School District to provide education and support on how to best support their students.
Parents wish to be involved but are not knowledgeable about the educational system and the way it works. Additionally, cultural differences are a large part of the parent’s lack of comfort in their interaction with school personnel. The Southern Ute Tribe’s Education Department partners with the Johnson-O’Malley program in creating programs or presentations to increase parent involvement. In addition, JOM is a vehicle which the School District can use to usher parents into the schools and help make them feel more at ease.
Incentives
Incentives are categories for funding based on a student’s achievement in school. To qualify for incentive funding, students and/or parents must first submit a request for funding outlining the activity. The activity must be school-related, but not necessarily school-sponsored. The incentive will have to further their educational goals, increase their extracurricular strengths (sports, music, drama, etc.), and/or incline the student to higher education.
Partnerships for Innovative Approaches to Education
JOM committee will allow funding for students whose interest takes them to a different learning ground, including partnering with agencies that offer educational programming throughout the year.