Virginia Community School Framework
News & Announcements
Community Schools Grant Application
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is providing a funding opportunity for Virginia school divisions to support the development and implementation of community schools.
- Community Schools Development and Implementation Grant (PDF) - Superintendent's Memo #257-22, October 28, 2022
- Community Schools Application for Funding Instructions (Word)
- Application Cover Page and Checklist (Word)
- Community Schools Exploration Team(Word)
- Statement of Need (Word)
- Goal Aligned Work Plan (Word)
- Detailed Budget (Word)
- Optional Application Resource: Self-Reflection Activity (Word)
To apply for funding under this opportunity, school divisions are required to submit the completed application no later than December 9, 2022. Applications must be submitted electronically by email to Alexandra.Javna@doe.virginia.gov.
Virginia Community School Framework
The Virginia Community School Framework (VCSF) (Word) seeks to remove nonacademic barriers to learning as a means to enhance student academic success.
Schools or divisions embedding this framework address these barriers and open doors for student success.
Community schools vigorously pursue equity by creating opportunities, empowering communities, providing wrap-around services, and meeting students where they are, every day.
VCSF Branches of Support
The four categories below represent the branches of supports a school provides to students through the VCSF.
- Basic Needs;
- Emotional and Mental Health Needs;
- Student Engagement and Motivation; and
- Family and Community Engagement.
VCSF Key Elements
The VCSF aligns with the Virginia Department of Education’s commitment to maximizing the potential of all learners through the following key elements:
- Rich data sources to determine the root cause of problems and identify student/community needs;
- Shared leadership of school goals and outcomes;
- Supportive of basic needs and emotional/mental health needs;
- Engagement of students and families in authentic, supportive ways;
- Comprehensive school plans that are the result of collaboration between school staff, community stakeholders, families, and students; and
- Unifying partnerships with community organizations and businesses.
Resources
National Models
- The Children's Aid Society Community Schools - New York City, New York
- Communities In Schools, Inc. - Alexandria, Virginia
- Community Partnership Schools - Orlando, Florida
- Schools of the 21st Century - New Haven, Connecticut
Basic Need Resources
- Action Pack: How to Start a School Food Pantry
- Connect VA Portal
- Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS)
- Directory of Virginia Food Pantries
- Feed More
- One Warm Coat
- The Virginia Community Action Partnership
- Virginia’s Doorways for Women and Families
- Virginia’s Habitat for Humanity
- 211 Virginia: 2-1-1
Emotional/Mental Health Resources
- Caring School Community Webinar Series
- The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL)
- Evidence-Based Alternatives to Suspension and Expulsion
- Health Smart VA
- The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Virginia (NAMI Virginia)
- Virginia’s Child Service Act and The Office of Children’s Services
Student Engagement and Motivation Resources
- Attendance Works
- Battelle for Kids
- The College and Career Readiness and Success Center (CCRS Center)
- Developmental Relationships Framework and REACH Program
- Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
- Techniques for Giving Students Charge of How They Learn
- Virginia’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Resource Center
- Virginia Education Wizard
- The Virginia Partnership for Out-of-School-Time (VPOST)
- Work-Based Learning Tool Kit
Family Engagement Resources
- Center for Family Involvement
- Community Walks
- Global Family Research Project
- Parent Partnership in Education: Resource Roundup
- Parent-Teacher Conferences ... or Collaborative Conversations
- Parent-Teacher Home Visits
- Student Led Conferences: Resources for Educators Tips
- Virginia Career Works
- Virginia’s Formed Families Forward
- Virginia’s Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center
Additional Community Schools Guides and Models
- Center for American Progress, Building Community Schools Systems: Removing Barriers to Success in U.S. Public Schools
- Communities In Schools (CIS) and CIS Virginia
- Community Schools Playbook, a Practical Guide to Advancing Community Schools Strategies
- National Center for Community Schools
- Opportunity Neighborhoods
- United Way Community Schools
Data Collection Resources
- Function-Based Thinking: A Systematic Way of Thinking about Function and Its Role in Changing Student Behavior Problems
- How Family Friendly is Your School Checklist
- Measuring Student Engagement
- National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments
- Needs Assessment Guide
- Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Resources, Understanding Community Need: The Five Whys
- 24+ Root Cause Analysis Templates
- Success Gaps Toolkit: Addressing Success Gaps, Indicators of Success Rubric