IDAHO, USA — Schools can be for much more than learning, and they can also serve as a pillar of a community.
A community school is a neighborhood public school that offers resources and services to benefit students and the community. A statewide initiative is focusing on bringing community schools to Idaho's rural regions.
The Idaho Coalition for Community Schools was formed in 2019 through a partnership with United Way of Treasure Valley and the Idaho Department of Education to expand the footprint of community schools, and their services meant to set students up for success.
"Families, community members, students and educators come together to work toward removing barriers to student success," Haley Regan, assistant director of community schools for United Way of Treasure Valley, said. "So it's both that physical location, and a set of partnerships that envelops students and families."
Community schools offer services depending on the community's needs. Resources can often include food pantries, health services and job shadowing programs.
There are currently 44 schools and 19 districts across the state that have community school programs.
"It makes sense as that natural place to set the table for bringing partners together to work toward local solutions," Regan said.
The coalition is starting a Rural Expansion Initiative. The initiative is a grant opportunity through funding from the U.S. Department of Education to bring more community schools to rural areas.
"This would allow them the funding to staff their community school strategy with the important role of a community school coordinator," Regan said. "Then we here at the coalition, staffed by United Way of Treasure Valley, provides support through training, technical assistance and connecting with partners."
The Coalition for Community Schools is launching the initiative through a letter of interest process to gauge which schools and districts are interested in the opportunity, with a webinar taking place Sept. 23. More information can be found on the coalition's website.