Van Hollen, Chu Introduce Bicameral Resolution to Designate Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week

Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and U.S. Representative Judy Chu (D-Calif.) introduced a bicameral resolution to designate September 13 through 19, 2026 as Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week to recognize the critical work of community school coordinators in giving students and families at full-service community schools the resources they need to succeed. This resolution is cosponsored in the Senate by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.). Community schools are public schools that provide wraparound support services, such as medical, mental, transportation, and nutrition health services, mentoring and youth development programs, expanded learning opportunities, and active family and community engagement. Community school coordinators work with the community and non-profits to identify and source additional resources to benefit students and their families. The resolution recognizes the role community school coordinators play in helping students succeed in their academic years and beyond. There are more than 1000 community schools serving students across all 24 of Maryland’s school districts. “Setting students up for success starts with making sure their needs are met – both in and out of the classroom. Our community schools are valued partners, empowering local education and community leaders to connect families with vital services while providing a top-notch education. Community school coordinators dedicate themselves to helping students and families get the support they need to succeed while serving as invaluable liaisons to community resources, which is why I’m proud to recognize their hard work with this resolution,” said Senator Van Hollen. "Community Schools partner with local organizations to provide the academic, health, and social supports students need to thrive. Research shows that addressing the needs of the whole student can reduce disparities, decrease disciplinary measures, and improve academic outcomes. Community School Coordinators are critical to making these local partnerships work, which is why I’m proud to introduce my resolution designating Community School Coordinator Appreciation Week and recognizing the hard work Community School Coordinators do every day to help students succeed in and out of the classroom," said Congresswoman Chu. “Community schools provide the necessary resources to help students succeed both in the classroom and beyond. By partnering with community-based organizations, engaging with families, providing services, and extending programs, community schools build truly supportive environments for students, and community school coordinators are essential to this work,” said Senator Hirono. “As the Trump regime continues to attack public education at every turn, this resolution recognizes Community School Coordinator Appreciation Week and celebrates the integral role coordinators play in their schools’ success. I’m proud to join my colleagues in thanking these educators and remain committed to helping schools nationwide provide children with the resources they need.” “Community school coordinators play an important role in making sure students and families have the support they need to succeed, both in and outside the classroom,” said Senator Heinrich. “I’m proud to introduce this resolution recognizing their important work and thanking them for showing up each and every day to support New Mexico’s students and families.” “In New Mexico and across the country, students deserve the support and resources they need to succeed, both inside and outside the classroom,” said Senator Luján. “Our community school coordinators make that possible by connecting students and families with critical services and resources. That is why I’m joining my colleagues in recognizing Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week and honoring the dedicated coordinators who work every day to help our students and families thrive.” "Community school coordinators here in Maryland do more than just educate our children — they feed them, care for their mental and physical well-being, and mentor them far beyond the classroom. I am so proud to be joining my colleagues in designating September 13 through September 19 as Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week. We should celebrate and appreciate the work of our community school coordinators all year," said Senator Alsobrooks. The full text of the resolution is available here . Senator Van Hollen has also championed the Full-Service Community School Expansion Act – legislation to promote greater adoption of the full-service community school model nationwide by investing in successful community schools and establishing new ones to serve more students, families, and communities across the U.S.