Many students need academic and emotional support to get the most out of school. And amid COVID-19 and remote learning, it’s even more important.

A new program will help schools provide that support, whether students are learning in-person or online, with much of the cost covered by grants.

The AmeriCorps CarbonCorps program will bring mentoring services to three Carbon County School Districts and afterschool programs starting this fall. The program is being led by the United Way of Greater Lehigh Valley.

“Now more than ever, our schools are seeing the values in what our mentors can bring, especially social and emotional learning,” said Gina Nichols, of the United Way of Greater Lehigh Valley.

Some members have already been hired, including recent college graduates and people with a background in education. Several more will be added in the coming weeks.

CarbonCorps members will provide support for students and their families. That may include connecting them to local counseling agencies and social services.

Teachers and guidance counselors will refer students, and CarbonCorps members will work with them in small groups or one-on-one.

CarbonCorps members will also be online to help students with mentoring, whether the student participates in full-remote learning or a blended model. They’ll be following schools’ COVID-19 health and safety plans.

Each school gets to decide the best way to use their CarbonCorps members.

Panther Valley Elementary plans to use its members to work on improving student attendance, helping new families entering the district, and connecting students to available resources in the area.

“This year in particular, they’re also going to support some of the students participating in Panther Valley Learning Network. If students who aren’t completing work, or students who aren’t logging on, they’re going to be helping them as well,” said Panther Valley Elementary Principal Robert Palazzo.

The support will also go beyond students’ needs in the classroom. Members will help collect and distribute items which all students need, such as school supplies and hygiene products. They may also help distribute free lunches to students taking part in remote learning, and connect families with other food programs.

CarbonCorps members are set to be in Panther Valley and Palmerton school districts to start the year. Weatherly is set to join the program in October.

Members will also serve at two afterschool programs, Project SHINE and the Penn-Kidder Ministerial afterschool program.

School districts are responsible for a portion of the program. Panther Valley’s portion is underwritten by an $11,000 donation from the charitable arm of AMETEK Inc., which has a plant in Nesquehoning.

The Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corporation is also providing support for the program.

“Everyone’s been so welcoming to us and they believe in our program. It’s a brand-new program in a really challenging time, so having their support and partnership means a lot,” Nichols said.

The CarbonCorps still has open positions available. A job listing is available on indeed.com under “AmeriCorps Carbon County-Mentor.”