SSF Lever 8:

Partnerships with Families and Communities

The Partnerships with Families and Communities lever is defined as a collaborative and mutually beneficial partnership between schools and the families of students, as well as the broader community in which the school is located. This approach recognizes the importance of involving parents, guardians, caregivers, and community members in the education process to support the holistic development of students.

  • Strengthening partnerships between schools, families, and communities is essential to supporting students’ non-academic needs

    • Key Practice 8.1.1: Assist Families with Non-academic Needs

      • Build collaborative efforts between schools, families, and communities to assist families in identifying signs and symptoms of unmet non-academic needs in their children.

    • Key Practice 8.1.2: Formal Partnerships with Community Agencies

      • Establish formal partnerships with community agencies to enhance available interventions and resources.

    • Key Practice 8.1.3: Leverage Data to Identify Trends

      • Leverage data from surveys, assessments, and community feedback to identify trends in non-academic challenges and tailor interventions to address specific needs of families.

  • Provide a clear understanding of the Student Support Framework and the Student Support Team process

    • Key Practice 8.2.1: Training for the SSF and SST Process

      • Implement comprehensive training for all stakeholders to ensure a clear understanding of the SSF and SST process.

    • Key Practice 8.2.2: Benefits of the SST

      • Ensure all stakeholders understand the potential benefits of the SST for all students.

  • Schools should foster collaborative and mutually beneficial partnerships between schools, families, and the community

    • Key Practice 8.3.1: Educate Caregivers on the Education Process

      • Ensure a collaborative approach with caregivers in meeting non-academic needs.

    • Key Practice 8.3.2: Comprehensive Caregiver Engagement

      • Ensure a collaborative approach with caregivers that supports students’ non-academic

        needs while creating multiple, accessible avenues for caregivers to actively engage in their child’s education.

    • Key Practice 8.3.3: Supporting Open Family–Student Communication

      • Encourage and support open, age-appropriate communication between students and their families as part of a trusted, supportive network of care that strengthens student well-being and belonging.