An OCF Central Oregon Regional Action Initiative in Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson, Sherman, Wasco and Wheeler Counties and the Warm Springs Reservation
In fall 2009, the Central Oregon Regional Action Initiative Committee announced the availability of up to $1 million in funding for school district leaders to develop or sustain a community school program. The Committee chose to invest in community schools because research shows that an integrated focus on academics, social services and community development results in better student performance, stronger families and healthier communities.
Community schools combine the best educational practices with enhanced services and longer hours to ensure that children are physically, emotionally and socially prepared to learn. Strengths of the community school model include:
• High-quality instruction
• Flexible implementation
• Emphasis on early childhood education
• Mentoring and tutoring
• Programming for children and adults outside normal school hours
• Access to health care and social services for students and their families
• Parent/caregiver education
• Fostering caring relationships with adults
On October 26, 2009, the Committee hosted a conference in Madras, Oregon. More than 75 participants learned about community schools from a national, statewide and local perspective. Teams representing the school district, nonprofits and business communities were encouraged to submit funding proposals. Because local partnerships play a central role in sustaining community schools, the Committee encouraged a team approach from the outset.
The Committee received seven proposals in January 2010. Funding decisions were announced in May 2010. Grantees are eligible for up to three years of funding, contingent on a positive evaluation of yearly outcomes by the RAI Committee and the OCF board of directors. On August 25, 2010, the Committee trained five coordinators to implement the region's community school programs and collect data on outcomes.
In Year 1 (2010-2011), 1,371 students registered for afterschool programs at five grantee schools. Community volunteers contributed 1,773 hours to these programs; volunteer hours during the school day totaled 10,906. During this time, first-grade test scores for reading and math increased by 5 and 10 percent respectively, while third-grade test scores for reading increased by 13 percent. The Central Oregon RAI Community Schools Outcomes Report 2009-2011 contains additional information on Year 1 outcomes.
Phase II of the Initiative supports regional communities that didn't receive a grant during Phase I. It comprises an Extended Day Grant Program that supports current and planned academic and enrichment programs for grades K-12. In May 2011, the Committee announced the following recipients of Extended Day grants:
• Crook County 4-H Leaders
• Bend-La Pine School District (for an afterschool program at La Pine Middle and High School)
• Jefferson County Kids Club
• Jefferson County School District
• South Wasco County School District
The schools and organizations that received this grant were also eligible for a 2:1 matching grant from the Central Oregon RAI Challenge Fund, which will help them attract additional cash donations, build their capabilities and move toward a full-service community school model. In 2011, eligible grantees secured $27,600 in new cash donations. In January 2012, the grantees listed above received Challenge Fund grants of $10,000 each.
In fall 2011, more than 2,200 community members participated in family and community engagement events at regional schools. The average daily attendance for afterschool programs was 308 students. There were 111 community volunteers across schools, and 92 parents participated in continuing education classes through Jefferson County School District’s Parent University.
To date, OCF’s initial investment of $347,500 in five Central Oregon community schools and five extended day programs has leveraged $260,384 in cash donations and $374,745 of in-kind support.
On August 23, 2011, regional community school coordinators and school board representatives participated in a "Tools for Longevity" training with facilitator Mary Schmidt, who shared ideas and resources for long-term project sustainability. Each community school brought a draft of its 2011-2012 sustainability plan for review by Mary, Central Oregon RAI coordinator Jessica Currier and statewide RAI coordinator Melissa Durham. The session concluded with a roundtable discussion on implementing sustainability strategies.
On October 22, 2011, Jessica Currier appeared at the Oregon Afterschool Conference to explain the impact of OCF's investment in 10 regional afterschool programs. This annual event, which is presented by OregonASK and the Oregon Recreation & Park Association, provides education and training to school staff and supervisors. RAI Committee members are planning to give similar presentations to civic groups in Central Oregon throughout 2012.
To get involved or contact us
If you are interested in supporting or learning more about OCF's Central Oregon Regional Action Initiative, please contact Jessica Currier, Central Oregon RAI coordinator: jessicacurrier26@gmail.com or 541.728.0802; or Melissa Durham, Director of Strategic Projects: mdurham@oregoncf.org or 503.227.6846.