This presentation examines how Community Schools, funded through the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), support foster youth and other vulnerable student populations. Focusing on the West Kern Consortium in California and schools in Iowa and Boston, this study explores how these community schools collaborate with local organizations to address the educational and socio-emotional challenges foster youth face. The research investigates the operational strategies of these schools, with an emphasis on mentorship programs, behavioral health services, and equity-focused decision-making. This study highlights the impact of place-based collaboration and community-driven initiatives on improving educational outcomes by examining schools from three diverse regions. Through interviews and surveys with educators, community leaders, and students, the research explores how local partnerships enhance student success and foster a supportive school climate. This presentation aligns with the conference theme by demonstrating how community schools serve as a model for innovative, collaborative approaches to education. The study emphasizes the importance of local, community-driven solutions to systemic educational challenges and offers practical recommendations for replicating these models in other regions. By showcasing how schools in diverse locations address the unique needs of foster youth, the research argues for the expansion of community schools as a pathway to sustainable educational equity and community empowerment. Overall Description (100 words or less) This presentation explores the role of Full-Service Community Schools in improving educational outcomes for foster youth, focusing on case studies from California, Iowa, and Boston. By analyzing mentorship programs, behavioral health integration, and community partnerships, the study highlights how these schools create supportive environments for marginalized students. Based on interviews and surveys with key stakeholders, the research offers recommendations for expanding community school models to promote educational equity and strengthen community-driven support systems.
