4 - Community Partners
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Schools that strategically leverage community partnerships to deepen their multi-tiered system of supports for SEL implementation provide students with opportunities to experience the support and practice they need to develop key skills and form healthy relationships. Community partnerships can achieve these goals through direct support to students, or through ongoing support and learning for staff or families.
Community Partnerships Video.mp4
Required Evidence for Certification
For at least two partnerships with community organizations:
A written, signed agreement was developed between the school and the partner that details the scope of services to be provided (e.g. No Cost Agreement, Task Order, Statement of Work)
Sample materials demonstrate that the services provided address the CPS School Climate Standards. (e.g., a program overview in a pamphlet, website, or presentation; sample worksheets, presentations, lesson plans, or other program materials)
This partnership moves you closer to meeting the CPS School Climate Standards and/or your continuous improvement goals for SEL
Planning Guide
Sample Milestones
a) Team(s) meet to identify gaps in needed SEL supports and services for students, staff, and parents that can be served through community partnerships.
b) Utilize the OSEL Approved Strategic Source Vendor List to identify potential partners. Compare services and pricing on the CPS Marketplace. Contact the vendor regarding school needs and vendor capacity.
c) Identify two or more SEL community partners to provide services to address the CPS School Climate Standards. Ask the organizations to provide materials showing how their services will help your school move closer to your continuous improvement goals for SEL.
d) School administration will work with the community partner to create a written, signed agreement detailing the scope of services to be provided (e.g. No-Cost Agreement, Task Order, contract, memorandum of understanding)
Suggested Resources
SEL Strategic Source Vendor list (b, c)
Search databases/lists such as: https://spider.dcfs.illinois.gov/ , https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/ , Illinois Department of Human Resources - Mental Health , or Youth Mental Health First Aid - Chicago (c)
Vendor agreement templates:
Task Order for a partnership with an existing Strategic Source Vendor (d)
No-Cost Agreement for services provided at no cost to the school, parent, or district (d)
Aligned Professional Learning
Engaging Community Partners for Social Emotional and Mental Health Services
Find upcoming dates and registration information in the OSEL Professional Learning Catalog
Tips for Submitting Evidence
Many community partnerships that support SEL are direct service providers that work with students in the school, but this is not necessarily the case. You can include partnerships with organizations that present at staff or parent meetings, as well as partnerships with organizations where students provide service (e.g. class volunteering, school-organized service projects), as long as it is clear that the learning that takes place is intentionally SEL-focused.
A directory of services where students and families are referred is not sufficient evidence for this indicator. It must be clear that there is a two-way relationship in place between the school and the service provider.
Great examples of school evidence
ALESSANDRO VOLTA ELEMENTARY
Check out Volta's great example of their menu of interventions that includes their partnerships in order to ensure they are all working towards the same goals!
Great job Volta!
BERNHARD MOOS ELEMENTARY
Check out Moo's great example of their list of community partnerships in order to ensure they are all working towards the same goals!
Great job Moos!