While schools work to prepare their environments for the 2021-2022 school year, underserved students and their families struggle to cope with social and economic issues that surpass anything we have seen in the recent past. From working through the stress and trauma our youth have experienced to the pressures of food security, underserved students and their families are looking to local schools to provide some stability this fall. Are schools prepared? Should schools be expected to meet these challenges on their own? Where do and how can community-based organizations (CBOs) fit into meeting these growing needs? How can schools and CBOs work together and create a safe, stable, and supportive environment for students this fall?

Learn what it takes to foster and support effective CBO-school partnerships. We cover the basics and talk with a leader in New Orleans who has used this approach to help provide more holistic services for underserved youth.