PHOTO COURTESY OF M-DCPS

MIAMI—In a major “put your money where your mouth is” move, local philanthropist Rose Ellen Green has donated $2 million so that the Education Effect, a product of the groundbreaking partnership between Florida International University (FIU) and Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS), can expand into the historic Little Haiti community.

The expansion into Jesse J. McCrary Elementary School marks the first time the program will be working with an elementary school and will incorporate researchers, faculty and staff from FIU’s Center for Children and Families, a nationally recognized interdisciplinary clinical center committed to improving the lives of children and families.

The partnership between FIU and M- DCPS – known as the Education Effect— connects the community, schools, students and parents with university expertise, resources and research-based intervention programs to address pressing educational and social needs.

To celebrate, FIU and M-DCPS hosted a check presentation and ice cream party with students, community leaders and parents at McCrary elementary on May 31.