Whole Children
A Whole Child is academically successful with positive mental well-being and social health. A Whole Child achieves higher graduation rates, contributes to the community, and leads a productive life. We believe in the power of the Whole Child.
The Whole Child Approach
The Whole Child approach is a systematic blueprint for sustainable change in children, citizens, and communities. Whole Child provides a comprehensive method for supporting students and teachers. By streamlining existing programming and establishing strong school-community partnerships, we redefine policies, practices, and relationships to ensure a lasting impact on students. By making a community-wide shift in how we educate and prepare our children for success in and out of school, Whole Child helps youth realize their full potential.
Dr. Greg Benner, O’Sullivan Professor of Special Education, Implementation Science at The University of Alabama, conceptualized and leads Whole Child transformation programs. After a decade of success in implementing Whole Child in Washington school districts, he is currently focused on developing initiatives to strengthen Alabama schools and communities.
The Tuscaloosa County School System Whole Child partnership is one of several funded research efforts within the Office of Strong Schools at the University of Alabama. UA and TCSS have a shared desire to increase academic excellence, school climate, attendance, and social and emotional learning (SEL) competence in the Tuscaloosa County School System. UA and TCSS believe Whole Child offers a roadmap for transformation that leads to student success. TCSS Whole Child is an unprecedented, comprehensive, sustainable, and scalable approach to school and community transformation in Tuscaloosa County.
