We are currently in the process of developing a guide to help schools interested in becoming community schools learn how to get started.  This guide will be available in early 2008. 

When establishing a partnership between a school and a community-based organiztion (lead partner agency) it is important to define roles and responsibilities for each.  One way to establish an agreed upon set of expectations is to create a Memorandum of Understanding, commonly referred to as a MOU.  This document should be developed together and signed by the principal and representative from the partner organization.  Please visit our Sample Tools and Forms section to find other materials that may help you plan your own community school.

Check back soon for more information about becoming a community school, and resources and guidance for program designers and implementers.

If you have ideas, solutions, or resources to share that would be useful to others developing community school programs, please contact Melissa Trumbull at melissa@ilcommunityschools.org.