Lincoln Community Learning Center's Initiative

Lincoln’s Community Learning Centers provide a delivery model to support students, families and neighborhoods as they strive to be successful, thriving, and strong. CLCs are about the process of people and programs working together to create a culture of learning that serves our entire community. CLCs in Lincoln are funded through support from 21stCentury Community Learning Center grants, LPS Title I funds and matching resources from local funders and community based organizations. The CLC initiative supports 26 schools in the development and implementation of safe, supervised before and after school programs, weekend and summer enrichment opportunities and other supportive services for children, youth, families and neighborhood residents.

Operating Principles

Collaboration

Partnerships are the best way to maximize resources and create synergy. Partners will work for and with families, neighborhoods, and one another to ensure local strengths and needs are considered. Partnership involves a commitment to mutual relationships and goals.

Integration

CLC services will be connected and purposefully coordinated with school and community to assure an efficient and respected use of partners’ expertise and resources.

Lifelong Learning Culture

People learn and grow differently. Through professionally developed staff CLCs will account for these different learning styles and will promote learning opportunities for all children, youth, families, and neighborhood residents.

Outcome Focused

CLCs have greater impact when providing services which are aligned with CLC initiative goals. Service effectiveness will be measured by improvements in student learning and development, stronger families, and healthier neighborhoods.

Community Leadership

Leadership and accountability are shared among all stakeholders. Parents and neighborhood residents have multiple opportunities to partner in decision making and to determine service opportunities most beneficial to them.

Neighborhood Based

All neighborhoods have unique strengths and needs. CLCs value the uniqueness of each neighborhood and adapt services and opportunities so that the neighborhood capacity is optimized.