Our mission is to ensure the optimal development of every child by building a comprehensive support system that links families, schools, and communities.

Visits to Yale University by County leaders and educators in 1995 to study the Schools of the 21st Century community schools model led to the creation of Rockland 21C in 1999. Yale 21C’s concepts were simple yet revolutionary: children start learning before birth; parents must be involved in their children’s education; children need to be nourished in order to learn; care, play and learning must take place in and out of school hours; and all community institutions must support the healthy development of children. An extensive strategic planning process that involved Rockland leaders and community members resulted in 8 strategies and accompanying action plans. The work of action teams led to new afterschool programs, school health assessments, home-visiting, Department of Social Services caseworkers in schools, and Nyack school district’s decision to open Rockland’s first school-based Family Resource Center (FRC). After Nyack’s popular success, additional districts decided to open their own FRCs, and the number of county residents benefiting from FRC programs grew and grew.

Rockland 21C is a nonprofit with a board comprised of leaders of Rockland government and businesses, public agencies, school districts, and child-centered organizations that are united in a unique partnership with one priority: children. It is also “home base” for an initiative through which eight Rockland County, NY, school districts partner to support schools that host 21C’s community schools model that has a specific emphasis on families.

Rockland 21C brings innovative solutions, resources, best practices and supports to its partners, and promotes an efficient county-wide commitment to children and families through the 21C community schools model.

Every 21C school offers a unique blend of programs and services, actively engages families, and increases connections between the school and its community’s resources.

Rockland 21C’s Board of Directors is a distinguished group of local leaders whose strategic decision-making and guidance steers the organization. A Rockland County legislator, the Rockland BOCES district superintendent, education administrators, leaders of numerous child-, youth- and family-serving nonprofits, and a county commissioner have seats on Rockland 21C’s Board.

Miguelina Lopez, Interim Chair
Executive Director, North Rockland School District, Executive Committee

Bryan Burrell, Treasurer
Education Consultant, Executive Committee

Dr. Debra Thomas, Secretary
Executive Director, Rockland Teachers’ Center Institute, Executive Committee

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Harriet Cornell, Chair Emerita
Retired, Rockland County Legislator, Executive Committee

Dr. Mary Jean Marsico
Retired, Rockland BOCES, Executive Committee

Miriam Avila
Family Resource Center Coordinator, North Rockland Central School District

Jose Cintron
Grace Point Fellowship Church, Spanish-Speaking

Kim Cross
Executive Director, Nyack Center

Sherri Eisenpress
Rockland County Family Court Judge

Daly Flanagan
Executive Director, Rockland Center for the Arts

Gail Fleur
Retired, Nyack Union Free School District

Dr. Susan Hoerter
Commissioner, Rockland County Mental Health Department

Michael Mark
Member, Nyack School Board

Ouida Toutebon
Executive Director, Head Start of Rockland

Christine Webb
Retired, Rockland County School Boards Association

Lisa Weber
Assistant Superintendent, Suffern Central School District

Roberta Zampolin 
Retired, Nyack School District

Rebecca Christner
Executive Director, Rockland 21C