Full Press release about the resolution below:
UNITED STATES SENATE
For Immediate Release
Friday, Sept. 24, 2021
Contact:
Brown: Trudy Perkins/Rachael Hartford (202) 224-3978
Capito: Kelley Moore (202) 228-1462
BROWN, CAPITO PASS RESOLUTION TO DESIGNATE COMMUNITY SCHOOL COORDINATORS APPRECIATION WEEK
Full-Service Community Schools Provide Integrated Student Supports and have been Shown to Improve Student Outcomes
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) passed a bipartisan resolution to designate the week of September 20 through September 24, 2021, as “Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week”. Community schools are public schools that provide integrated student supports, well-designed and expanded learning opportunities, active family and community engagement, and collaborative leadership and practices. The resolution recognizes the role community school coordinators have in building and strengthening successful community schools and highlights the resiliency and impact of community school coordinators in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Representative Judy Chu (D-CA-27) introduced similar legislation in the House of Representatives.
“Community schools offer unique opportunities to students in Ohio and across the country,” said Brown. “They make a real difference in the lives of students and their families. Now more than ever, we must support our communities by investing in our public schools and helping them provide necessary financial, healthcare, and educational support to community schools serving children and families most affected by the pandemic.”
“Community schools offer opportunities for many students in West Virginia, which are helping them to achieve success,” said Senator Capito. “Community coordinators are an essential element of that success, and I am incredibly appreciative for the work they do. This resolution is one way we can thank them for their hard work and dedication.”
Along with Brown and Capito, the resolution was also co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Richard Durbin (D-IL).
Community schools are public schools that provide integrated student supports, such as counseling, medical and dental, and transportation services, and are associated with improving student outcomes in areas such as attendance, social and emotional functioning, and academic achievement. Community school coordinators work with the community and non-profits to identify and source additional resources to benefit students and their families.
Sen. Brown supports President Biden’s proposed $443 million for the Full-Service Community Schools Program, which he proposed in his FY22 budget. Last year, Brown led a letter to Senate leadership in support of additional dedicated funding for the Full-Service Community Schools program in the next COVID-19 relief package. The letter also asked to ensure the allowable uses for this additional funding remain flexible to provide essential resources for our public schools to meet the needs of students and families. The letter was also signed by Senators Van Hollen, Durbin, Sanders, and Booker. Senator Brown also led the Full-Service Community Schools appropriations letter for FY22, urging Senate leadership to include $443 million for the Full-Service Community Schools Program, consistent with President Biden’s proposal.
Full text of the resolution is available here.