The Helping Hand Fund is equally available for the students of Folsom and of Rancho Cordova. This fund is meant to be flexible and responsive to student needs, especially those needs that interfere with a student’s ability to succeed in school. Therefore spending categories are flexible based on the needs of the students and families of the Folsom Cordova Unified School District as determined by the Folsom Cordova Community Partnership. Generally speaking, on an annual basis 50% of the fund will be used to offset Unmet Human Needs, 20% of the fund will focus on the broad needs within individual schools, 10% of the fund is dedicated to providing scholarships and 20% of the fund is held in reserve to provide up-front capital to offset the cost of future Sweetheart Balls.

Eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis by a designated representative of the Partnership. There are no requirements to receive assistance from the Helping Hand Fund. However, as there are limited funds to offset great needs, assistance will be given in accordance with the level of need. For instance, if two people have the exact same need for resources and one needs the funds to purchase a school uniform and the other needs the money to purchase food; monies would be awarded to the child who needs nourishment, as this is the most immediate need.

The Helping Hand Fund can be accessed in the following two ways.

• A direct referral from a school principal or their designee
• A walk-in client in crisis who seeks help from the Partnership and is determined to be a student or parent of the FCUSD.