PENDLETON – The Umatilla-Morrow Education Service District learned Wednesday it received a $383,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The money will help fund its involvement with the Umatilla County Wraparound Program, which targets students who need extra support with behavioral, emotional and social areas.

The Umatilla-Morrow ESD is one of 20 Umatilla County agencies helping to support the Wraparound program, which has evolved over the course of more than a decade, said ESD Superintendent Mark Mulvihill.

“This grant is a reward for the perseverance of all these local agencies,” Mulvihill said.

Umatilla County’s program has also served as an example for a similar statewide initiative. House Bill 2144, on its way to Gov. Ted Kulongoski’s office for approval, lays down the framework for a statewide version of Wraparound, according to the ESD.

– Eric Florip