Communities In Schools Issues Statement in Support of an Increase in Funding to the Full-Service Community Schools Program

Arlington, Va.  - July 31, 2020 -   Communities In Schools® (CIS), the national organization that empowers all students to stay in school and on a path to graduation, today issued the following statement in support of Rep. Susie Lee’s (NV-3) bi-partisan, offset amendment #257 in H.R. 7617 Appropriations Act 2021, that will provide an increase of $1 million for the Full-Service Community Schools Act.

 “As the nation’s schools grapple with returning to school during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it has had on our students, community schools should play a significant role in how this country reengages students in learning. Community schools are a place-based strategy in which schools partner with community agencies and allocate resources to provide an integrated focus on academics, health, and social services, youth and community development, and community engagement. All of that will be critical as many students faced trauma and isolation since schools closed across the country in March. 

 A growing body of research shows that students succeed when schools embrace a whole child perspective that integrates social, emotional, and academic development. In schools nationwide, students face challenges, often associated with living in poverty or exposure to trauma, that can make it difficult to show up in the classroom ready to learn. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these challenges and led to increased need for students and families to be connected to resources. By utilizing evidence-based models, such as community schools with integrated student supports to support a whole-child approach, the added stressors of the pandemic can be mitigated, giving students the supports they need to be ready to learn.  

 An increase in Full-Service Community Schools grant funding will allow more schools the opportunity to fund dedicated staff to help students and their families access and navigate the public and private services available to them in the community.”