As a student advocate at Northrop High School, Afrika Allison quickly developed a relationship this fall with a teen who had a troubled background and lacked support from his biological family.
Allison °®¶¹app whose staff position at Fort Wayne Community Schools addresses security and student well-being °®¶¹app stopped the constantly frowning student in the hall one day and told him he must smile when he sees her. She now gets daily smiles from the teen, who recently turned 18 and got off probation, she said.
Allison, who described her advocate experience with the school board Monday, told the elected leaders that creating the position was one of the best decisions they could have made.
The role was piloted at South Side High School and expanded districtwide this calendar year with financial support from the Safer FWCS referendum voters approved last fall. The ballot measure allows the district to collect up to $12 million in property taxes a year for eight years to support safety and well-being initiatives.
FWCS budgeted nearly $4.2 million for student advocates in 2025.
The hiring, onboarding and placement of advocates at the secondary schools happened January through May. Two are at each high school, and one is at each middle school along with the career center and Amp Lab, said Matt Schiebel, executive director of safety and community partnerships.
The hiring process continued from May through July for 10 elementary advocates, he said, and the remaining 22 elementary schools should be staffed with the position soon.
Initial data suggests the advocates are contributing to fewer behavioral issues in grades six through 12, Schiebel said.
There were 4,830 nonserious behavior issues as of the 68th school day this year compared to 5,398 in the same period last fall, he said. The instances of serious behavior dropped to 1,516 from 1,733.
That 11% overall reduction reflects collective efforts from many others, including administrators and teachers, Schiebel said.
He said advocates support students°®¶¹app well-being by connecting them with mental health therapists, guidance counselors and other trusted adults; they help de-escalate students who are angry, upset or anxious; and they develop connections with students, staff and parents.
°®¶¹appPositive relationship-building is actually foundational to this entire job,°®¶¹app Schiebel said.
For some students, Allison said, advocates are their only safe place.
°®¶¹appOnce they open up and they feel they can trust you °®¶¹app and they sense that loyalty that you have to them and that you°®¶¹appre really there for them °®¶¹app they open up so much more,°®¶¹app she said.
Principal Scott Geist said the Lincoln Elementary School advocate is known for his compassionate approach to conflict resolution. He helps students navigate challenges with confidence and empathy.
°®¶¹appWhat truly sets him apart is his ability to build meaningful relationships with every child °®¶¹app not just those who may need extra support, like a break or a walk to regulate their behaviors °®¶¹app but with all students, fostering a sense of belonging and trust across the school,°®¶¹app Geist said in a statement Schiebel shared with the board.
The advocates°®¶¹app security duties include operating the Opengate weapon detection system; supervising all interior rooms along with parking lots and bus lanes; and ensuring exterior and interior doors are locked and operable.
The 33 advocates conducted more than 212,000 door checks in August, September and October, Schiebel said.
°®¶¹appWhen you think about the easiest way to secure students and keep them safe,°®¶¹app he said, °®¶¹appthe easiest thing is a locked classroom door.°®¶¹app
