The Heart of Our Community: Developing University-Assisted Community Schools in Rural Places

• In Event: Millennium Hotel Roundtable Session 16
  In Roundtable Session: Critically Reexamining School-Community Relationships in Rural America

Abstract

In this paper, we describe the application of a university-assisted community schools model to schools in rural settings. Using culturally responsive, trauma-informed practices delivered within an organizational framework based on the Sanctuary Model, university faculty, staff, and students work with school personnel, families, and students in two rural school districts to deliver supports and services. We provide insight on some challenges faced in these initiatives, as well as lessons learned and how we provided culturally responsive, trauma-informed supports and services through the FREE (Families, Resiliency, Education, Empowerment) domains.

Authors

• Candace A. Mulcahy, Binghamton University - SUNY

• Lisa Blitz, Binghamton University - SUNY

• Elizabeth McKendry Anderson, Binghamton University - SUNY