By Amanda Niu, USCM Summer Fellow
July 26, 2004

Representative Steny Hoyer (MD) has introduced June 15 the "Full-Service Community Schools Act" (H.R. 4585). It authorizes funding for full'service community schools that are public elementary or secondary schools that coordinate with multiple federal, state, and local educational and social service programs in partnerships with school districts, community-based organizations, and public/private partnerships.

Hoyer stated, "I am extremely proud to introduce the Full-Service Community Schools Act. My late wife, Judy, was a dedicated educator who taught me about the importance of early education and the potential of full service schools. The full'service schools supported by this Act will be able to improve their coordination, delivery, effectiveness, and efficiency of services to children and families."

This legislation is of significant interest to mayors. It would assist them in their effort to be more engaged with school systems, as well as help them work together to provide a variety of services that address educational and personal needs of students and their families. The Conference has long been a supporter of linking selected social services with education because many of these services affect the lives of students and their families and assists in improving the chances of a student remaining in school. Mayors have long been advocates to connect health, welfare, employment, parks and recreation, and other city managed social services with the schools.

At the Conference's 72nd annual meeting this past June in Boston, the mayors unanimously passed an education policy resolution that focused on schools as centers of community. It is exactly the same premise as described in Rep. Hoyer's legislation. Also, the Conference has continuously written about the joining of services to more efficiently and effectively meet community needs by using the school as the center for the activities and services.

"Full-Service Community Schools are valuable resources in local communities because they provide for the seamless integration of academic, developmental, family, and health services to children and their families. These schools, in addition to strengthening local communities, ensure the best use of resources, which will result in more cost-efficient services," Hoyer continued.

The legislation requires coordination of at least three services at the school site for someone to be eligible to be local grantee. Included in this partnership must be a local educational agency and one or more community-based organizations, nonprofit organization, or other public/private entities. The coordinated services at a school site could include early childhood programs, literacy/reading programs for youth and families, parenting education activities, community service/service learning, job training/career counseling services, nutrition services, primary health and dental care, and mental health preventive and treatment services.

The Act authorizes $200 million during the 2005-2009 fiscal years. Seventy-five percent of these funds would be allocated for local grants, 20 percent to state grants, and the remaining funds would be used for technical assistance and evaluation.