What is a Community School?
"Community Schools mobilize students, families, educators, and community members to develop a grassroots vision for their schools and communities, and they work together to achieve their vision." -National Education Association, 2021.
What is a Community School Facilitator?
The Community School Facilitator works with staff, students, families, and community organizations to foster a school environment that is welcoming to families, inclusive of the necessary community resources, respects and honors student, family, and community diversity, and draws upon family and community resources to enhance wrap around supports that support overall student success. Establishes and maintains partnerships with community organizations and others in support of the school community. Supports students and their families by integrating various services into the school community and ensuring student engagement. Facilitates and participates in the Community School Advisory Board meetings. Performs other duties as assigned.
What are the duties of a Community School Facilitator?
• Provides leadership for the development of the community schools program plan, conducts need assessments and data gathering for planning, involves community partners in training and planning, and educates community partners on project responsibilities and procedures.
• Convenes and staffs the site-based Community School Committee, a coordinating body that is co-led by the principal and includes representatives from key stakeholder groups.
• Facilitates the development of a strategic plan that reflects the priorities of multiple stakeholder groups/partners.
• Organizes, trains, and develops parent/family and community leaders and connects them with school decision-making.
• Collaborates with teachers and school administrators to foster regular, two-way, culturally proficient communication between the school and families.
• Works collaboratively with the principal to establish ongoing relationships with community organizations, community members, and businesses to increase their involvement and maximize community contributions for school effectiveness; develop relationships with community organizations that provide needed family services.
• Maintains a welcoming environment for families to access school information and resources and welcomes new students and families to the school.
• Attends school-based meetings that may include Instructional Leadership Team, PBIS meetings, School Progress Planning, Community School Steering Committee etc.
• Develops events and activities based on the community school needs assessment. Participates in professional development related to the Community School program.
• Identifies resources in the community, based on the community school needs assessment, that address the needs of families within the school community, and communicates directly with families about those resources, as needed.
• Facilitates asset and needs assessments on an ongoing basis that includes feedback from a broad cross-section of stakeholders (students, staff, families, service providers, partners, neighborhoods).
• Ensures alignment and integration of all programming with the school’s vision. Communicates the Community School vision and mission to parents, staff, students, and community.
• Supports the evaluation of the community school through timely submission of reports and data collection with support from the Community School Specialist, Community Superintendent and Executive Director.
• Develops the necessary action plans and agreements that will allow partners to deliver high quality services. Facilitates regular partner meetings.
• Assures fiscal accountability by applying effective practices in planning, budgeting, controlling, and assessing the use of budget and grant funds.
• Supports any grants or contracting processes for services required to fulfill the community school strategic plan.
• Works to coordinate and align Baltimore County interrelated services at the school.
• Performs other duties as required.
What are the qualifications of a Community School Facilitator?
- Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in social work, education, or a related field.
- Master’s degree preferred.
- Three years of school related social service or community development experience.
- Experience in K-12 public education preferred.
- Possession of, or eligibility for, a Maryland Teacher Certification, School Counseling or Social Worker Certificate preferred.
What is the interview process?
Interested applicants will apply to posting through the BCPS Applitrack system. Candidates will then be contacted directly from the principal if selected for an interview.
When can I apply?
The Community School Facilitator posting times vary as vacancies occur and schools are identified by MSDE according to Blueprint Legislation.
Please contact Melissa Forster, Coordinator of Community Schools, with any questions. ([email protected])