Supporting the Community Schools Model
A major focus of the Ahlquist Center for Policy, Practice and Innovation is to ensure adequate, sustained funding for community school programs—a proven model that improves learning outcomes for students in under-resourced school districts. The community schools approach brings together public schools, non-profit organizations and local businesses, community schools to provide a broad range of programs […]
How the State can Support School/Community Partnerships
On Friday, November 17, a panel of speakers testified at the Illinois State Board of Education Budget (ISBE) Hearing in Chicago on behalf of the Federation of Community Schools to ask that ISBE include a $15 million Community School program line in its FY19 budget. The panel included Patrick Brosnan from the Brighton Park Neighborhood […]
Community Schools Show Promise As School Improvement Strategy
In 2006, the Federation for Community Schools was born out of the vision of the Chicago Campaign to Expand Community Schools and the Chicago Coalition for Community Schools in order to share best practices and advocate for community schools in Illinois. Community schools are schools that partner with community agencies and local governments to build […]
Ready by 21 National Meeting
Children’s Home + Aid Policy Manager Stefanie Polacheck and The Federation for Community Schools Director Melissa Mitchell joined hundreds of youth advocates from around the country at the 6th Annual Ready by 21 National Meeting held in Austin last week. Each year, the Ready by 21 National Meeting brings together hundreds of leaders from around the country […]
Giving Back is on Tap
This month, Children’s Home + Aid’s Associate Board is partnering with Sedgwick’s Bar & Grill and Pipeworks Brewing Co. Throughout the entire month of January, 20% of every Pipeworks Brewing Co. beer sold will go to benefit Children’s Home + Aid. We’re excited to support two amazing local businesses while raising awareness of our programs. All of […]
Community Schools – Looking at Results
During the 2013-14 school year, Children’s Home + Aid’s Community Schools program served over 1,000 elementary school children at 9 schools on the west and south sides of Chicago. For at least two hours daily after school, Community Schools provided academic help and enrichment activities including sports, dance, and theatre. How did Community Schools achieve […]