Van Hollen, Brown, Capito Resolution To Designate Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week Passes Senate

This week, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and Shelley Moore Capito’s (R-Wa.V.) resolution to designate the week of September 20 through September 24, 2021, as “Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week” passed the U.S. Senate. Community schools are public schools that provide integrated student supports, well-designed and expanded learning opportunities, active family and community engagement, and collaborative leadership and practices. The resolution recognizes the role community school coordinators have in building and strengthening successful community schools and highlights the resiliency and impact of community school coordinators in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. There are 300 community schools serving Maryland students across 16 counties and Baltimore City.

 “Throughout this pandemic, Maryland students and educators have faced unprecedented challenges. These challenges have underscored the importance of the community school model, which not only provides students with a top-notch education but also connects families with other vital services they need. By addressing students’ needs inside and outside of the classroom, community schools have helped remove many barriers to success. I’m proud to recognize the hard work of Maryland’s community school coordinators during this appreciation week, and I will continue working to support our community schools in Congress,” said Senator Van Hollen.

“Community schools offer unique opportunities to students in Ohio and across the country,” said Senator Brown. “They make a real difference in the lives of students and their families. Now more than ever, we must support our communities by investing in our public schools and helping them provide necessary financial, healthcare, and educational support to community schools serving children and families most affected by the pandemic.”

“Community schools offer opportunities for many students in West Virginia, which are helping them to achieve success,” said Senator Capito. “Community coordinators are an essential element of that success, and I am incredibly appreciative for the work they do. This resolution is one way we can thank them for their hard work and dedication.”

Along with Senators Van Hollen, Brown, and Capito, the resolution was co-sponsored by U.S. Senator Richard Durbin (D-Ill.). Representative Judy Chu (D-Calif.-27) introduced similar legislation in the House of Representatives.

Senator Van Hollen strongly supports President Biden’s proposed $443 million for the Full-Service Community Schools Program, which he proposed in his FY22 budget. This year, Senator Van Hollen re-introduced the Full-Service Community School Expansion Act with Senators Brown and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) to assist schools and districts in Maryland with planning, implementing, and expanding community schools and addressing the needs of communities impacted by COVID-19.  The previous year, Senator Van Hollen also joined Senator Brown in leading a letter to Senate leadership in support of additional dedicated funding for the Full-Service Community Schools program as part of COVID-19 relief legislation and successfully secured the implementation of full-service community schools as an allowable expense under the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

Full text of the resolution is available here.