Raising awareness and increasing the understanding of mental health can change the way society views and responds to this complex issue. AIR promotes positive mental health through school and community-based approaches involving youth, families, school, health care providers, and other stakeholders.
A shared vision for using 21st CCLC funds as a platform for improving the lives of students and families, and for contributing to community cohesion, is an important precursor to leveraging the full potential of community and school partnerships.
Alex Bishop is a senior researcher at AIR and project director for Higher Ground’s Restart SMART Initiative Evaluation. In this role, she manages the assessment of Higher Ground’s data collection and reporting infrastructure and processes and the implementation evaluation of their community school’s model. She also serves as the qualitative ...
Developing a more integrated service delivery system requires expanding supports and opportunities to meet the needs of students and families. The 21st CCLC-funded programs involved in our study relied on a variety of strategies to meet this goal.
Partnering with Maine Vocational Rehabilitation, AIR evaluated work-based learning interventions to help students with disabilities prepare for college and careers.
Building trust between a school and its community is crucial for the successful integration of a 21st CCLC program. Developing trust takes targeted efforts through strategic outreach and activities that can develop bridges between communities and schools.
The National Center for Healthy Safe Children offers resources, training, and technical assistance to support states, tribes, territories, and local communities as they promote overall wellbeing for students and their families.