Van Hollen, Gillibrand, Luján, Lee Reintroduce Legislation to Expand Community Schools

Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representative Susie Lee (D-Nev.-03) reintroduced the Full-Service Community School Expansion Act, legislation to provide essential resources for school districts to plan for, implement, expand, and support full-service community schools. Community schools are public schools that provide wraparound support services, such as medical, mental, and nutrition health services, mentoring and youth development programs, technical assistance, and continuing education courses for students and families. Full-service community schools have a proven track record of producing tangible results for students - including advancing academic achievement, as well as reducing chronic absenteeism and suspensions. There are more than 700 community schools serving students across all 24 of Maryland's school districts.

"A quality education is a cornerstone of our children's success, but for many students, the challenges they face outside of the classroom impact their success inside the classroom. Community schools offer a solution - empowering local education and community leaders to connect families with vital services they need while providing a top-notch education. As we've seen across Maryland, this innovative approach has been proven to make a positive difference in the lives of our students and their families. This bill will further invest in and create a pathway for more community schools, ensuring all of our students have the support they need to succeed," said Senator Van Hollen.

"Factors affecting student success extend well beyond the classroom. Unfortunately, many students in southern Nevada cannot meet their basic needs off school grounds, then struggle to keep up their mental and physical health and academics," said Congresswoman Susie Lee. "That's exactly why we need a fully resourced Full-Service Community Schools Program to help schools meet students where they are and bridge these gaps in education. I'm proud to join Senator Van Hollen to reintroduce the Full-Service Community School Expansion Act to support the essential programs our students need."

"Every student deserves the chance to succeed both inside and outside the classroom," said Senator Gillibrand. "The Full-Service Community School Expansion Act will help provide critical academic opportunities, mentoring programs, and nutritional services so that students in all communities can thrive. I am proud to lead this legislation alongside my colleagues and will continue to work to provide comprehensive support to students and parents in New York and across the country."

"Community schools bring community resources into school buildings to improve children's well-being, especially in low-income and rural schools. Investing in our community schools is an investment in the well-being and success of future generations," said Senator Luján. "To support our students, families, and communities, I'm partnering with my colleagues to reintroduce the Full-Service Community School Expansion Act. Our bill will expand access to community schools and ensure more schools can adopt this holistic model to support students in New Mexico and across the country."

In addition to Senators Van Hollen, Gillibrand, and Luján, the legislation is cosponsored in the U.S. Senate by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

The Full-Service Community School Expansion Act would:

1. Invest $3.65 billion over the next five years to plan, implement, expand, and support full-service community schools serving low-income students;
2. Provide renewable grant opportunities and additional resources to existing community schools to build collaborative leadership structures and strengthen wraparound services that support the needs of students, families, and neighborhoods.
3. Build out community school infrastructure by funding the establishment of state-level teams that provide professional development opportunities and resources for community school staff, and collaborate with local education agencies on integrating supports for community schools;
4. Ensure Tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, Native Hawaiian organizations, and Tribal organizations receive priority consideration in the application process and are included in stakeholder coordination efforts;
5. Set aside up to 5% of funds for technical assistance and support to leverage federal, state, and local resources that address healthcare and early childhood education, connect local education agencies with other statewide institutions, and inform LEAs of funding opportunities.

The Full-Service Community School Expansion Act is endorsed by the National Education Association, American Federation of Teachers, National Indian Education Association, Institute for Educational Leadership, Coalition for Community Schools, First Focus on Children, National Association for Elementary School Principals, MENTOR, Journey 4 Justice, Maryland Out of School Time Network, Maryland State Education Association, American Federation of Teachers New Mexico (AFT NM); CA Partnership for Future of Learning, EdTrust, Forum for Youth Investment, Healthy Schools Campaign, Idaho Community Schools Coalition, Maryland Center for Community Schools, National Center for Community Schools, Netter Center, University of Pennsylvania, North Carolina Community Schools Coalition, and the Nevada State Education Association.

"Every day, the challenges that students and families face outside the classroom reveal themselves inside the classroom-challenges like poverty, food insecurity and a lack of access to healthcare. That is why the Full-Service Community School Expansion Act is so critical; it invests in the proven strategy of wrapping services around students-from mental and physical healthcare to nutrition and after-school programs-paired with strong academic supports and parent engagement. This bill is a vital step toward ensuring every child, no matter their ZIP code, has the support system they need to succeed," said Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers.

"The Coalition for Community Schools, including our hundreds of national, state, and local partners, is excited to support the Full-Service Community Schools Expansion Act of 2026. We are proud to work with Senator Van Hollen and our community school leaders across the country to inform legislation that reflects how community schools make a difference in the lives of students and families, and to be bold in funding level that recognizes the high need and demand across the country for this evidence-based strategy. We are grateful for the support and leadership of Senators Van Hollen, Luján, and Gillibrand, and look forward to working with them and other members of Congress to champion this significant legislation," said Eddie Koen, President at the Institute for Educational Leadership.

"Community Schools are reshaping education in Maryland, driving stronger academic outcomes and deeper connections between schools, families, and communities. To keep this momentum going, we must invest in quality, broaden access, and equip districts with the tools needed to realize and sustain the benefits of Full-Service Community Schools," said Ellie Mitchell, Director, Maryland Out of School Time Network

"Educators understand firsthand that our students learn best when their needs are met. Community schools are a proven model, address the 'whole child,' and ensure that students and families receive the community-centered support they need to succeed. The Full-Service Community School Expansion Act of 2026 would enable us to build upon the Blueprint for Maryland's Future that has made Maryland a leader in community school expansion. We appreciate Senator Van Hollen's support for community schools in Maryland, and we invite Congress to take up this critical legislation," said Paul Lemle, President of the Maryland State Education Association

"All students, no matter who they are or where they come from, deserve a safe, welcoming, and affirming learning environment where they can thrive and learn without limits. Community schools offer the chance for success to students through creative and targeted educational opportunities. Students, parents, community members, and educators come together to create spaces where students want to be, reducing chronic absenteeism, meeting vital needs of both students and families, as well as a working environment where educators and staff want to pursue excellence each day. We commend Senator Van Hollen and Representative Susie Lee for introducing the Full-Service Community Schools Expansion Act of 2026, which would improve and increase the federal investment in the community schools program. They understand and share in the vision that every student must be prepared to succeed in a diverse and interdependent world, and this federal legislation helps communities put students on that path," said Kimberly Johnson Trinca, Director, Government Relations, National Education Association.

"The Public School Superintendents' Association of Maryland is proud to support the reintroduction of the Full-Service Community School Expansion Act of 2026. Community schools are a central component of the nationally recognized Blueprint for Maryland's Future-a 10-year reimagining of the delivery of public education. Many community schools have outpaced traditional schools in standardized test performance increases across Maryland. This innovative model addresses students' needs holistically by partnering with their communities. PSSAM applauds Senator Van Hollen for his steadfast support and leadership on this important legislation," said Mary Pat Fannon, Executive Director, Public School Superintendents' Association of Maryland.

Full text of the legislation can be found here.