Congresswoman Lee Introduces Legislation to Expand School Wraparound Services and Support Students Beyond the Classroom
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) led Congressman David Trone (MD-06) and Congresswoman Jill Tokuda (HI-02) in introducing the bicameral Full-Service Community School Expansion Act to improve student outcomes by helping public schools and districts bring in wraparound support services. These include medical, mental, and nutrition health services, mentoring and youth development programs, technical assistance, and continuing education courses. Full-service community schools have a proven track record of producing tangible results for students – including advancing academic achievement and improving attendance. Companion legislation was introduced this week in the Senate by Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM).
A 2022 report from the Education Law Center found that Nevada was the only state in the nation to fail in all three measured categories of school funding. The study found that Nevada students receive $4,370 less funding per pupil than the national average. With that chronic underfunding, community school services like physical and mental health care, mentoring, technical assistance, and academic resources are often the first to go. The Full-Service Community School Expansion Act would increase Nevada’s access to funding to plan, implement, expand, and support these essential programs for our kids.
“I spent more than two decades working with Nevada schools and students to strengthen our public education system, so I know firsthand that student success goes well beyond the classroom,” said Congresswoman Susie Lee. “When students have access to nutritional health services, tutoring, after-school programs, and mental health support, they perform better in school. But the sad reality is that far too many students don’t have access to these kinds of support systems. I’m proud to introduce the Full-Service Community Schools Expansion Act to invest in the health, stability, and academic achievement of our students by expanding wraparound services for the kids and families who need them most.”
"Our children learn best when given the support and resources needed to grow and thrive. When we ensure students are not only receiving a high-quality education but also crucial wraparound services like health care and mentoring programs, we see much better outcomes," said Congressman David Trone. "I'm proud to partner with Representative Lee, Representative Tokuda, and Senator Brown on the Full-Service Community Schools Expansion Act to ensure all our students' needs are being met."
“I am proud to join my colleagues in championing this bill to expand federal funding for full-service community schools across the country. The community school model applies a wholistic approach to education by supporting students with expanded learning time, family support and community engagement, and health services to ensure that our keiki are well-prepared for a successful future,” said Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02). “Hawaiʻi currently has 25 full-service community schools that are represented across the islands and this funding will help them serve more students and expand opportunities for future generations.”
“Ohio has proven how successful full-service community schools can be at improving academic achievement and student attendance. By expanding the successful community schools strategy across the state, we can support the well-being of students and parents to help Ohio parents and communities thrive,” said Senator Brown.
"Communities In Schools of Nevada is grateful to Congresswoman Susie Lee for introducing the Full-Service Community Schools Expansion Act,” said Tami Hance-Lehr, CEO & State Director for Communities In Schools of Nevada. “The proposed increased funding for this competitive and proven federal grant opportunity comes at a time when child poverty has doubled across the nation and student chronic absenteeism is at an all-time high. As the leading provider of Integrated Student Supports in Nevada, one of the four pillars of the Community Schools model, we applaud the Congresswoman’s leadership and know that this bill will surround students and families with the support they need to succeed in school and beyond.”
Learn more about the Full-Service Community Schools Expansion Act here.
As a lifelong education advocate and a former education nonprofit leader in Nevada, Congresswoman Lee now leads the bicameral Keep Our Promise to America’s Children and Teachers Act, which would ensure full funding for federal programs to support disadvantaged students and children with disabilities, as well as the bipartisan Earn to Learn Act, which would establish a national matched-savings program to help students and families save money to pay for tuition, books, fees, and other education-related expenses. As Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Women’s Caucus and Vice Chair of the Problem Solvers’ Caucus, Congresswoman Lee has been named the most bipartisan Member of Congress across the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, and all state Governors.
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