12.01.23

Durbin, Duckworth Applaud More Than $21.6 Million in Full-Service Community Schools Grants for Illinois Institutions

CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today applauded the U.S. Department of Education for awarding $21,632,950 in Full-Service Community Schools grants to education institutions and community organizations in Illinois. Funding for full-service community schools has increased five-fold, from $25 million in 2020 to $150 million in 2023. The grant funding allows schools to partner with community organizations and institutions of higher education to provide wrap-around services in academics, mental health programming, and nutrition to address students’ needs. Well-implemented community schools have proven to lead to better student and school outcomes, especially for low-income students attending inadequately-funded schools.

“By fostering partnerships between schools and community organizations, the Full-Service Community Schools grant program paves the way for a holistic approach to learning,” said Durbin. “This funding is a declaration that the best investment we can make is in the potential of our children.”

“When we invest in educational services, we help provide students with the tools they need to succeed both in and outside of the classroom,” Duckworth said. “I’m proud to support initiatives like the Full-Service Community Schools Program that help give students in Illinois a fairer shot at reaching their full potential.”

On Wednesday, Durbin cosponsored U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown’s (D-OH) Full-Service Community School Expansion Act of 2023, a comprehensive bill to improve student outcomes by helping public schools and districts bring in wraparound support services including medical, mental, and nutrition health services, mentoring and youth development programs, technical assistance, and continuing education courses.

The following institution and organization have been awarded funding:

  1. Metropolitan Family Services - $9,420,400
  2. Metropolitan Family Services - $9,420,400
  3. University Center of Lake County - $2,792,150

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