Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1419056
schools, and he's eager to lay groundwork for su pp o r t i n g t h e m p a st t h e o n e - t i m e f u n d s , including potentially leveraging federal funding for more mental health and medical services. He adds that the California Department of Edu- cation is planning to hold a series of listening sessions on the grant process before opening the application period, noting that CTA will be involved "in a significant way." T h u r m o n d s a y s h e i s e a g e r t o r e p l i c a t e th e success of L os Angeles-area community schools in supporting the whole child and pri- oritizing equity. "LACOE and LA Unified provide us with really rich examples of places we can learn from," ur- mond says, adding that he's excited to partner with educators in this important movement. "UTLA put it forward. I want to thank everyone in the CTA family for having the vision to call for community schools." Support from CTA and NEA In addition to state and federal funding, NEA and CTA are providing resources to support local associations to join the community schools movement. NEA is directing $3 million annually to help school districts make the transition to community schools, starting with the 100 largest school districts in the country. CTA is creating a network to support local associations in community school initiatives. ere are 20 CTA locals taking part in the NEA Strategic Campaign on Community Schools, with most receiving NEA Community Advocacy and Partnership Engagement (CAPE) grants to support their organizing efforts. Westminster Teachers Association (W TA) is using some of its $75,000 grant to build a partnership with the district's parent-teacher association and start a conversation about community schools with families. WTA is also offering a stipend to a dis- trict parent to be a part of the community school leadership team and help promote and organize community schools in Westminster. "I'm really happy that NEA is doing this," says WTA President Kim Bui, noting how important it is to build a culture of collaboration with families. "We have each other and we support each other. We can do so much together for our com- munity and our kids." State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, shown visiting Ganesha High School in Pomona, says community school funding is "a dream come true." 25 O C T O B E R / N O V E M B E R 2 0 21 Kim Bui Mayra Alvarado