According to the National Education Association, there are more than 5,000 community schools in the United States. In California, more than 1,000 Community Schools have been established and more are forming each year. As the 2024-2025 school year begins, 59 have become Community Schools and several more are pursuing the potential of becoming a Community School. The Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE) partnered with the Southern Inland Regional Technical Assistance Center to launch community schools in 2021 with Riverside County school districts and their schools that were approved for the California Community School Partnership Program (CCSPP) grant.

“Every educator is aware that the ability of students to learn and thrive is affected by many factors—many of which are beyond the reach of the classroom teacher or school-site staff to address, but available through partnerships with local government, support agencies, and non-profit organizations” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez. “The work of the California Community Schools Partnership Program is aimed at transforming the definition of what makes a school, in order to address those barriers. Listening, collaborating, responding, and delivering additional programs and services to address those ever-changing needs, is making a difference for students and families.”

“The Community Schools Partnership is truly reflective of its name—it’s about coordinating services for the whole child and their community,” said Riverside County Coordinator, Amanda Wade. “Schools have always been a centerpiece of neighborhoods and communities, and we want to expand on that tradition and ensure that students have access to what they need to be successful in the classroom and beyond.”

The vision for the Community Schools Partnership is to create and establish an equitable and supportive school environment that coordinates services for the whole child and their community, disrupting racial and socio-economic inequalities and providing pathways for success to all students and families served within Riverside County. The mission is to provide an equitably curated repertoire of services that are provided to the students, families and communities of Riverside County, centering schools as the hub for these services, and encouraging community partnerships to further the work of transforming schools.

Transforming traditional public schools into community schools is based upon four evidence-based pillars.

Integrated Student Supports

• What this means: Beyond the classroom, incorporating outside services for students to access at their neighborhood school
• Example of who’s doing this in Riverside County: Jurupa USD (18 locations)
• What this looks like for students and families: Dental screenings, immunizations, sports physicals, mental health services, clothing closets, wellness centers, wellness coaches, mobile health clinics,
• What this looks with staffing: Dedicated staff member(s) to coordinate support programs and address out-of-school learning barriers for students and families
• Who’s partnering with schools: Riverside University Health Systems-Public Health, Riverside University Health Systems-Behavioral Health, Neighborhood Healthcare, Community Health Systems, local college and university social work and marriage/family therapist programs, and more
• What people are saying: “Community Schools (have) allowed me to participate in classes to learn about technology, finances, and mental health. I had the chance to work with other parents and build relationships with them. We worked on projects, met to celebrate, and volunteered at the school,” said Karina Cedillo, a parent in Jurupa USD. “My children see me at the school often and know that I am there to support them by furthering my education and helping in their classrooms and school events. By being involved at the school, I was encouraged to apply to supervise and now I can also work at the school. A goal of mine is to continue my education. I was able to reach out to the community school teacher on special assignment who gave me enrollment information for the high school diploma program through the JUSD adult school."

More examples from Jurupa USD:

• What this means: Offering new, unique, or custom activities and opportunities beyond the academic school day for students and families—including resources and services that might be difficult to access due to geographic distance
• Example of who’s doing this in Riverside County: Coachella Valley USD (West Shores High School)
• What this looks like for students and families: Mural projects with professional artist, visiting local museums and inviting parents, after-school folklorico dance classes with parents as coaches, students mentoring/tutoring younger students, improving individual and family financial literacy, “Trade Nights” where parents with specialized skills can share knowledge and expertise students and other parents
• What this looks like for staffing: Beyond surveys, staff who are already meeting with parents in conferences or parent groups are cross-promoting the concept of a community school and asking parents what types of activities or resources would be beneficial for their students and families if available at the school
  Who’s partnering with schools: Raices Cultura, a local, grassroots non-profit community organization that empowers youth

• What this means: What is offered at a community school site is far more than students learning in a classroom during a school day. Programs and opportunities that promote increased interaction between home and school helps students and families—including added involvement in the decisions about the education of their children.
• Example of who’s doing this in Riverside County: Val Verde Unified School District (Tomás Rivera Middle School, Manuel L. Real Elementary School)
• What this looks like for students and families: A completely renovated space hosts the Family Engagement Community Resource and Learning Center that offers students and families a cost-free community store for food, a retail-like new and gently used clothing store, access to 10 washers and dryers including free detergent and dryer sheets, mobile dental and vaccination clinics, a site-based health clinic, and more. Dozens of classes for parents are also available on topics like art, mental health, financial literacy, yoga, nutrition, computer literacy, college awareness, English as a Second Language, various parent/family activities, and more.
• What this looks like for staffing: Family engagement staff include a field supervisor, two classified staff members, a director and a manager plus additional supporting Family Engagement team members as well as contracted guest speakers for adult learning opportunities and service providers brought in free of charge through partnering agencies.
• Who’s partnering with schools: Neighborhood Healthcare, Inland Empire Health Plan, Bordando Nuestras Raices, Riverside University Health System, Families Achieving Success, Stater Bros, Hanes, as well as many local community organizations and individuals.
• What people are saying: “Going to laundromats is very expensive. My daughter got some new shoes, and she couldn’t wait to show them off to her friends,” said Eric Peteroski, parent of four current and two former students in Val Verde USD. “Having access to something like this is an absolute game-changer for a lot of people.”

More examples from Val Verde USD:

Val Verde USD Family Engagement Community Resource and Learning Center

• What this means: Parents, students, teachers, principals, and community partners build a culture of professional learning, collective trust, and shared responsibility to serve the community. Ongoing dialogue between parents, students, and staff groups aids in this shared responsibility and trust. District and school administrators engage in candid conversations with Student Council members, School Site Council parents, English Learner Advisory Committees, at Coffee with the Principal events, Parent University classes, and with school leadership. Each Community School will also have a site-steering committee that includes students, parents, classified and certificated staff members, site administrators, and community partners that will meet regularly to identify needs and potential solutions. All students, parents, staff, and community members are invited to share their perspectives based on their unique lens to foster open and transparent communication.
• Example of who’s doing this in Riverside County: Alvord USD (six locations))
• What this looks like for students and families: Parents actively participate in the district’s Community Schools Council, and parent advisory councils at each school site. Students and their families have access to resources to support their needs. This includes food (through Alvord Cares and community partnerships), clothing, housing resources, medical, dental, vision, parenting classes, and citizenship needs. Through listening campaigns, community meetings, and one-to-one conversations at each school, accurate data and feedback are gathered to best support each school community.
• What this looks like for staffing: Each school includes a Community Coordinator, Principal, Assistant Principal(s), and Office Personnel. From the district office level, an Assistant Director for Student Support Services, Family Engagement Coordinator, Coordinator for At-Promise Youth, and at least one director from Educational Services.
• Who’s partnering with schools: Riverside Community Health Foundation, Sir Sathya Sai International Organization (Region 8), Feeding America, PIQE, IEHP, Vision2Learn, California Highway Patrol, Elk’s Lodge, GeriSmiles Dentistry, All Kids Health, Community Health Systems Inc., Raincross Community Partnership, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Riverside Charitable Foundation, McKinley, The Carolyn E. Wylie Center, City of Riverside Public Utilities, City of Riverside Recreation, Riverside University Health System, Safe Family Justice Center, Riverside Public Library, Junior League Riverside Diaper Bank, Mexican Consulate, Project KIND, Iron Sharpens Iron, Mother’s Nutritional, Braille Institute, Planned Parenthood, and Neighborhood Healthcare. 
• What people are saying: “Juntas son muy beneficiosas para los padres, así de esta forma nos mantenemos informadas y a la vez nos enteramos de lo que pasa en la escuela. (Meetings are very beneficial for parents, this way we keep informed and at the same time, we know what is going on at school.)” – Alvord USD parent

One additional method of connecting students and families with support is through the “Findhelp” service that provides a zip code area search to locate free or low cost food, basic needs, housing assistance and more. RCOE's Findhelp community branded site was established to provide a strong and intentional community partnership, ensure pupil learning, and whole child and family development. Families and caregivers are able to access resources at no cost to them, within their zip code, for an effective use of the most-needed services. 

More information on the California Community School Partnership Program is available at www.rcoe.us/ccspp.

About the Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE)

RCOE is a service agency supporting the county’s 23 school districts and 500+ schools that serve nearly 430,000 students—more than the student population of 17 states. RCOE services include administrative support to districts and charter schools, programs for preschool, special education, pregnant minor, correctional, migrant, and vocational students. In addition, the organization provides professional training, support, and resources for more than 18,000 teachers, administrators, and staff, throughout the 7,000 square miles of Riverside County.

Learn more at www.rcoe.us.