MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Connected Manatee, an 18-month pilot program linking Manatee County families with school supplies, benefits assistance and crisis support, is expanding to three more Palmetto schools after launching earlier this year.
The program, a partnership between the nonprofit Turning Points and the School District of Manatee County, began in January at Lincoln Memorial Middle School and Palmetto Elementary. It is now adding Tillman Elementary, Blackburn Elementary, and Palm View K-8.
The program is designed to help students, parents, and district employees connect with resources before a financial setback or crisis becomes harder to manage…