The Idaho Coalition for Community Schools is awarding implementation grants to 10 Idaho schools and districts to launch or bolster their community school efforts. The Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health is a member of the coalition.
The 10 schools and districts to receive grants are:
- American Falls School District
- Washington Elementary (Caldwell School District)
- Emmett School District
- Garden Valley School District
- Genesee School District
- Marsing School District
- Middleton School District
- Parma School District
- Salmon River School District
- Wilder School District
Each of these schools and districts received planning grants to participate in a learning cohort during the 2022-23 school year or a prior year in which they learned about Community Schools Strategy from the National Coalition of Community Schools. This learning series helped schools decide to start a Community School or learn better ways to operate existing Community Schools.
The participants of the learning cohort had the opportunity to apply for an implementation grant, which supports the hiring of a community schools coordinator to oversee and arrange programs and services to benefit students and their families. Coordinators will be hired in time for the start of the 2023-24 academic year.
Community Schools are neighborhood public schools that partner with stakeholders to create conditions where every student thrives by integrating student supports, expanding and enriching learning opportunities determined by genuine community and family engagement and a collaborative decision-making process.
“Schools are the ideal place to bring community partners to the table to work together,” said Hayley Regan, Collaboration Manager and representative for the Idaho Coalition for Community Schools. “The coalition is happy to support these schools and districts start or accelerate their Community Schools strategy.”
The Idaho Coalition for Community Schools consists of schools, government entities, and nonprofit organizations. The coalition was launched and is administered by the United Way of the Treasure Valley. Organizations who contribute to a shared fund that fulfills Community School Planning Grants and Implementation Grants are the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health, Idaho Children’s Trust Fund, State Department of Education, Idaho Community Foundation, St. Luke’s, United Way of the Treasure Valley, and the United Way of South Central Idaho.