WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) re-introduced a bipartisan resolution to designate the week of September 21 through September 25, 2020, as “Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week.” 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-Calif.-27) will introduce companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
In West Virginia, the “Communities in Schools” (CIS) program now has expanded from three counties to 23 counties, serving more than 30,000 students in 109 schools across the state. The CIS program aims to develop community partnerships and drive resources into schools with the ultimate goal of keeping students in school and achieving 100 percent graduation rates.
“Community schools represent vital partnerships for our communities that are helping them to achieve success,” Senator Capito said. “Community school coordinators are an essential element of that success, and this resolution is one way we can thank them for the work they do for our students, families, and communities.”
“Community schools offer unique opportunities to students in Ohio and across the country,” said Senator Brown. “They make a real difference in the lives of students and their families. That’s why the work of community school coordinators is so important. Community schools are an efficient, evidence-based model for our public schools and I hope Congress will provide more resources so that local communities can adopt the model. 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.”
Along with Senators Capito and Brown, the resolution was also co-sponsored by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Richard Durbin (D-Ill.).
Community schools are public schools that provide integrated student supports, such as counseling, medical and dental services, and transportation 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.
Full text of the resolution is available here.
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