Today, we will explore another model of a community schools’ approach. We have an episode today where we welcome two people deeply involved in the community schools approach in the province of Manitoba. We know many folks in the US and Canada are hoping to expand and enhance community schools in their districts, and definitely in the US, funding has increased as the effectiveness of this researched-based approach is becoming more widely known, so we have invited our guests today to talk about the unique model in Manitoba.

RESOURCES:

https://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/csp/index.html


QUOTE:

"Research shows that integrated student supports are associated with positive student outcomes. Students receiving school-based supports often show significant improvements in attendance, behavior, social well-being, and academic achievement....It is important to note, however, that the presence of these supports alone does not automatically make a school a 'community school'. Key differentiating factors include the way in which site-based needs are identified, how the services are provided and coordinated, and their integration with the other community school pillars, especially active family engagement and collaborative leadership and practices. For example, some integrated student supports focus on case management and determine the provision of student services through a top-down approach. In contrast, comprehensive community schools start with a meaningful process for engaging students and families in identifying needs and assets and connecting with potential service-providing partners."

- Quote from the Community Schools Playbook, from the Institute for Educational Leadership and communityschools.org website

BIO:

Dawn Wood has a Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Manitoba. She worked in Portage La Prairie, as the Outreach Facilitator for the Portage La Prairie School Division before joining the Indigenous Inclusion Directorate, as the Community Schools Coordinator.

Shari Block has Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Manitoba. Before joining the Manitoba Department of Education and Early Childhood Learning she worked in areas of family violence, mental health and disability services in non-profit, hospital and government. In 2008 she became the Consultant for School Social Work for the province of Manitoba, and was thrilled to join the Community Schools Unit in 2020 as Community Schools Coordinator with a focus on Mental Health and Well-being.