By working together the Federation and its members achieve success!
The Federation for Community Schools is a coalition of individuals and organizations working together to promote policies that support the advancement of community schools throughout Illinois.  Federation members receive many benefits from participating in the coalition.

Why Become a Member
Program Advisory Committee (PAC)
Federation Subcommittees
    - Advocacy Subcommittee
    - Communications Subcommittee
    - Professional Development (PD) Subcomittee
    - Research & Evaluation Subcommittee

Why Become a Member 

• Up-to-date information about issues pertaining to community schools;
• Opportunities for peer-to-peer mentoring and networking through monthly meetings and annual conferences;
• Access to professional development related to establishing and maintaining a high quality community school;
• Ability to learn more through the Federation's clearinghouse of community school best practices and emerging research findings;
• Talking points on community schools to help coalition members discuss their schools' experience within the larger framework of community schools; and
• Access to information about potential sustainability opportunities as they emerge.

In return for all of this, the Federation asks that its members actively participate in the advocacy plans and activities as developed collectively by the Federation's coalition members.  There will be local, state and federal level policy work as well as work with the media.  The Federation will work with its members to get the word out about the powerful impact of community schools for the students, the school, and the community.

Please join today by completing the membership form and sending it in today!

Program Advisory Committee (PAC)
The Program Advisory Committee (PAC) was elected by the membership to provide leadership for the members of the Federation. Three members of the PAC were selected by the PAC to serve as non-voting members on the Federation’s Board of Directors. The PAC representation at the Federation’s Board meetings ensures that Board members have direct input from the stakeholders and practitioners of community schools. It is important to note that the PAC seats are not dedicated to the individual or that person's organization, but are the combination of both person and organization represented.  The following outlines the roles and responsibilities of PAC members:  

1. Actively participate in all stakeholder committee meetings and serve as a stakeholder member

2. Articulate and influence the state and federal policy agenda
3. Effectively communicate with and between stakeholders and serve as a voice of the stakeholder members to the greater public
4. Secure endorsement of the Federation's policy agenda from their organization

5. Invest in moving forward the vision of Community School

   PAC Members
   The PAC Members for fiscal year 2008 (October 2007 - September 2008) are:

   Patrick Brosnan Brighton Park Neighborhood Council	Michelle Adler Morrison Youth Guidance
   Erskine Cunningham YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago	Adeline Ray Chicago Public Schools, Community Schools Initiative
   David Flatley* Columbia College, Center for Community Arts Partnerships	Idida Perez West Town Leadership United
   Molly Hellerman America SCORES, Chicago	Ernest Sanders Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation
   Les Inch Children's Home + Aid	Tina Sanders Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago
   Celia Lozano Communities in Schools of Chicago	Michelle Scheidt* Metropolitan Family Services
   Lisette Moreno-Kuri Logan Square Neighborhood Association	Nelly Torres* Parents Organized to Win, Educate, and Renew (POWER-PAC)

 *Representative on the Federation's Board of Directors.

PAC Meetings:  The PAC meets quarterly on the 4th Friday of the month from 10am - 12noon.  Upcoming meeting dates are: January 24, April 24, and July 24.  Please see the calendar for more information about each meeting.

Federation Subcommittees
The Federation is focused on four key work areas that are essential to sustaining robust community schools throughout Illinois.  As such, we have developed four subcommittees to allow staff to work closely with members with the goal of promoting community schools and ultimately bringing about policy changes that support community schools.  Each subcommittee is made up of Federation members and is co-chaired by a member of the PAC and a Federation staff member.   

If you are interested in joining a subcommittee, please send an email to Havilah Darnieder indicating which subcommittee you are interested in joining.  Information about the key tasks of each subcommittee can be found below. 

Communications Subcommittee
The Communications Subcommittee is working to craft a compelling message regarding community schools and develop systems to deliver that message in a way that will support advocacy outcomes.

Advocacy Subcommittee
The Advocacy Subcommittee is working to identify and implement strategies on the local, state, and federal levels that will lead to positive policy changes in support of community schools.

Professional Development (PD) Subcommittee
The PD Subcommittee is working to promote professional development opportunities needed and wanted by practitioner in the field, while also identifying best practices and relevant research that informs the work.

Meeting dates:  The first meeting of the PD Subcommittee is scheduled for Tuesday, January 24 from 9:00 - 11:00am.  The meeting will be held at the Federation, located at 1253 S. Halsted, Suite 310.  

Co-Chairs: Greg Hall and Michelle Adler Morrison

Research & Evaluation Subcommittee
The Research and Evaluation Subcommittee is working to identify relevant research findings, create a repository of relevant research, and engage local universities in the process.