Partner Engagement and Governance

The Four Stages

Exploring

• An informal leadership team meets
• Key partners identified (including SEAs, LEAs, CBOs, cross-system agencies, state intermediaries, families, educators, and youth)
• Initial meetings have been calendared

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More about Key Partners:

A State Coalition should include a wide breadth of cross collaborative partners. For example, State Coalitions might include Community School Coordinators, Community School Administrators, District Administrators, and professionals from entities such as United Way, Community Foundations, State Education Agencies, Early Childhood organizations, education related nonprofits, teacher’s unions, Universities, and service providing organizations such as those that address housing or food insecurity. Existing groups including statewide Children’s Cabinets can also serve as a State Coalition for Community Schools.

See examples of partner lists here:

• https://arcommunityschools.org/partners
• https://idahocoalitionforcommunityschools.org/members

Emerging

• Initial leadership team in place with elected co-chairs
• Key partnerships have been established
• Financing option to host meetings has been identified

Evolving

• Governance structure confirmed with official leadership team in place and practice
• Intermediary entity has been identified to support coalition efforts
• The structure adheres to all necessary legal and financial guidelines and requirements
• Co-chairs/leads are selected by the state partners and participate in the Coalition for Community School’s State Coalition Network
• Co-chairs are participating regularly in meetings and activities within the state and nationally
• Continued review of key partnerships, participation, engagement, and individual partner needs

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More about Intermediaries:

An intermediary entity provides management and administrative support for coalition efforts. Many State Coalitions are convened and administrated by intermediary entities. Examples of intermediary entities include local nonprofits such as United Ways, State Education Agencies, and statewide afterschool networks.

Expanding

• State Coalition is recognized by the state as collective body to make recommendations
• The governance structure includes policy, communications, state Research Practice Network, and youth advisory committees
• Partners are leading and contributing on committees
• Potential and current funders are identified and engaged on a regular basis to support  sustainability of State Coalition and partner activities
• Funding secured for full time State Coalition coordinator position and general operations

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More about Funders:

Potential funders include entities such as  state community foundations, local foundations, local businesses, state education entities, state afterschool networks, StriveTogether networks, local and state education associations, community based organizations, nonprofits, local government, and local school districts.