The Federation is urging legislators to support the following line items because they support community schools, and their children, families, and communities.  Download a postcard, print it out in B&W, and have your students, parents, and community members complete the sentence, "I love my community school because..."  Contact us and we will pick up the completed postcards from your school and hand deliver them to your local representatives. 

Kids Need More Time to Learn
$3 million ISBE appropriation in FYO9 to support the expansion of community schools in Illinois.

Kids Need Access to Healthcare  
$3 million appropriation in FY09 budget to support new and existing school-based health centers.

Kids Need to Come First
$100,000 appropriation in FY09 budget to support Children and Youth Commissions created by HB4456.

Kids Need Caring Communities
SB1993 will reduce negative impact on families and their communities from payday loans.

The Federation will work with its members to educate policy makers about the importance of community schools in the lives of students, their families, schools and communities.  Playing an active role in the public policy process is not just for experts!  You and your organization can raise public awareness, build relationships with government representatives, and help shape policies that affect community schools, their sustainability and effectiveness.

The Federation will make advocacy easy to do for you and your organization  by providing the following:

-  Calls to Action
-  Talking Points on Community Schools
-  Information on Policy Makers
-  Templates to Work with the Media
-  Current and Easily Accessible Information

By working together, we will have a substantial impact on community schools throughout Illinois.  The Federation looks forward to working with you to accomplish that!  

Community school supporters converge on Springfield
Last week over 30 Federation stakeholders and staff converged on Springfield to educate legislators about the power of community schools.  Collectively we were able to meet with or leave informational packets with over 200 legislators -- many of whom have several community schools in their districts.  Federation staff have begun following-up with legislators that expressed support and interest in learning more about the community schools.  Ultimately we plan to arrange for them to visit at least one community school in their district so they can hear directly from their constituents  the positive impact that the community school has had on their students, families, and the community at large.   Earlier that same morning, Suzanne Armato, executive director of the Federation, testified before the Senate's Appropriations Committee to ask for a dedicated budget line for community schools in ISBE's budget.  Look for many more advocacy days to come! 

Many thanks to all those who joined us for the long, and sometimes bumpy, bus ride down to Springfield!!!