Community Schools Program

In 2019, Senate Bill 1030 (5-203) defined community schools as “a public school that establishes a set of strategic partnerships between the school and other community resources that promote student achievement, positive learning conditions, and the well-being of students by providing wraparound services.”

Community schools can either be identified by a local school system or through receiving the Concentration of Poverty grant. Schools with 75 percent or more students eligible for free and reduced meals received the Concentration of Poverty grant established in SB 1030 (5-203). The personnel grant is to be used to hire a community school coordinator and professional health care practitioner. Any remaining funding should be used to administer a needs assessment and to provide wraparound services as described in the legislation.

No. However, the MSDE requested each local superintendent to designate a point of contact for community schools. This allows for each local school system to stay up to date on current information, best practices, and technical assistance related to community schools.

The expectation is that the grant awards should be fully expended by June 30, 2020.  Additionally, local school systems are required to report the use of these funds to the Governor and select committees of the General Assembly. However, the Blueprint for Maryland's Future Fund is a special non-lapsing fund, meaning that unexpended funds at the end of the year do not revert and therefore allow for carryover.

SB 1030 (5-203) states that eligible schools should provide full-time coverage by at least one professional health care practitioner, who is a “licensed physician, a licensed physician’s assistant, or a licensed registered nurse” practicing within the scope of the license. Based on that language, an LPN would not qualify under this specific grant.

If the funding provided to an eligible school exceeds the cost to employ a Community School Coordinator and a school health practitioner, excess funding can be used to administer a needs assessment and provide wraparound services. SB 1030 (5-203) provides numerous examples of wraparound services, including “...any professional development for teachers and school staff to quickly identify students in need of these resources.”

At this time, the MSDE is not providing a needs assessment to local school systems. However, the MSDE will provide technical assistance on selecting, administering, and compiling data for the needs assessment. Additionally, the MSDE is working with a work group of community schools stakeholders to create a model needs assessment that could be used by community schools.
 

1. Senate Bill 1030 (5-203) states that Concentration of Poverty funds must first and foremost be used as a personnel grant for two mandated positions: a community school coordinator and professional health care practitioner. Eligible schools may use any remaining funds to provide wraparound services, which are defined as:
   1. Extended learning time, including before and after school, weekends, summer school, and an extended school year;
   2.  Safe transportation to school
   3. Vision and dental services;
   4. Establishing or expanding school-based health center services;
   5. Additional social workers, mentors, counselors, psychologists, and restorative practice coaches;
   6. Enhancing physical wellness, including providing healthy food for in-school and out-ofschool time and linkages to community providers;
   7. Enhancing behavioral health services, including access to mental health practitioners and providing professional development to school staff to provide trauma-informed interventions;
   8. Providing family and community engagement and supports, including informing parents of academic course offerings, language classes, workforce development training, opportunities for children; and available social services as well as educating families on how to monitor a child’s learning;
   9. Establishing and enhancing linkages to Judy Centers and other early education program that feed into the school;
   10. Enhancing student enrichment experiences;
   11. Improving student attendance
   12. Improving the learning environment at the school; and
   13. Any other professional development for teachers and school staff to quickly identify students who are in need of these resources.

At this time, local school systems and schools are not required to report Concentration of Poverty grant budgets, expenditures, or activities to MSDE. Therefore, MSDE will not provide a template for reporting at this time.

At this time, the Director of Community Schools at the MSDE is not managing Concentration of Poverty grant funding or reporting. Leaders responsible for the management of the Concentration of Poverty grant should align grant spending with the language on SB 1030 (5-203). Budget documents, including C-1-25s and amendment requests, should be submitted to the Office of Finance.

Yes. The MSDE is committed to providing community school coordinators, school-based leaders, and leaders in local school systems with technical assistance and professional learning on best practices in developing and enhancing community schools. The MSDE is assisting in developing networks of practitioners who can share successes and strong practices throughout the State. Please check the website for more information on upcoming events, including meetings, professional learning opportunities, networking events, and more.