The community schools strategy transforms a school into a place where educators, local community members, families, and students work together to strengthen conditions for student learning and healthy development. As partners, they organize in- and out-of-school resources, supports, and opportunities so that young people thrive. A growing number of states are investing in community schools as a strategy to address long-standing social inequities that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on a review of state American Rescue Plan Act plans, as well as state legislative and state education agency websites and other online resources, this report describes community school initiatives in eight states. The report highlights three potential approaches to state support for community schools: (1) ongoing support through school funding formulas, (2) competitive grant funding, and (3) capacity-building supports (such as certification processes).

The California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP) supports schools’ efforts to partner with community agencies and local government to align community resources to improve student outcomes. These partnerships provide an integrated focus on academics, health and social services, youth and community development, and community engagement.

ACT Now convenes the only statewide professional development specifically for community school practitioners. Since 2018, the coalition has grown this statewide network to improve access to resources, provide advocacy support, and work towards the goal of every school in Illinois as a community school.

The Federal Budgeting and Appropriations Process, divided in three segments. July-February/Executive Branch Process: Budget Formation -- OMB gives guidance to federal agencies about levels of funding and priorities. The agencies work within those guidelines to structure a budget proposal. OMB makes final decisions about the agencies' proposed budget. Budget Submission - Generally, the President's Budget Request is submitted to Congress on or about the 1st Monday in February. March-June/Legislative Process: House and Senate Budgets -- The House and Senate develop their own budget resolutions to set spending levels. These will often deviate from each other as well as from the President's request. These resolutions are NOT signed into law. Appropriations - The House and Senate Appropriations Committees, through their 12 subcommittees, hold hearings to examine the budget requests and needs of federal spending programs. The House and Senate then produce appropriations bills to fund the federal government. These bills are "marked-up," amended as needed, and approved by the Appropriations Committees. July-October/Congress Finalizes Spending Levels -- Floor Consideration After approval by the Appropriations Committees, the bills head to the House and Senate floors where they may be further amended and eventually passed. Most times, the bills passed by House and Senate differ in some significant ways and must be reconciled. Final Passage - Once a final bill has been negotiated between the two chambers, it must then pass the House and Senate and be signed by the President. If Congress cannot agree on new funding levels before Oct. 1, a continuing resolution is required.

Examine the voice, engagement, and leadership of youth in Community Schools! This guide serves to support Community School practitioners to better understand and create opportunities for youth leadership in their schools and communities. Working with participating Community Schools and students, this resource captures youth stories and insight to help illustrate how to build more inclusive decision-making and activate the next generation of leaders in our communities.

March for Children and Youth Month was launched in 2017 as an annual campaign to concentrate our advocacy efforts among our national, state and local partners. Our collective advocacy as a Coalition is important both to build champions among our policymakers for policies and funding that support children and youth and to strengthen our role as advocates for children and youth who are facing systemic inequities in their communities. Although we have seen a steady decline in child poverty rates over the last few years, the percentage of Black and Hispanic students living in poverty is almost four times that of their white peers. With racial disparities in school, we can no longer sit on the sidelines and hope others advocate for more equitable conditions-it must be us, it must be now, and we must speak with one voice.

The Coalition for Community Schools is dedicated to advancing a shared vision of “schools as centers for creating communities where everyone belongs, works together, and thrives”, and is grounded through a shared set of principles: build on community strengths, invest in trusting relationships, and commit to continuous improvement. This document outlines our shared policy goals to advance Community Schools.

This 3-pager lifts up 8 key talking points to help support Bipartisan Community Schools advocacy.

Building a Community Schools System is written for diverse audiences engaged in Community School efforts, from planning to integration of the Community Schools strategy in their community and/or district to existing systems of schools looking to further sustain, deepen, and expand this strategy.

The Stages of Development serve as a guide for states as they build or scale their state coalitions for Community Schools. The four stages are: EXPLORING There is talk of developing a coalition, but only informal communications or plans have been made. Someone convenes a group of people to move the plans forward. EMERGING Commitment to developing a coalition by actively convening partners and putting in place a governance structure with initial goals and benchmarks outlined. EVOLVING There is an official coalition in place, a wide range of partners are involved, regular communications to local practitioners, and a leadership team and professional learning convenings occurring. EXPANDING The coalition has added key committees, is regularly tracking impact and stories, and is widening sphere of influence through new partnerships, expanded public communications, and ongoing capacity building.