Rockland 21C’s

Mission

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

We have the distinction of being the first organization in the nation to develop a countywide community schools 21C model.

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.

Our Board

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.

OFFICERS

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

___

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

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

BOARD

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

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

Lisa Weber
Assistant Superintendent, Suffern Central School District

Rebecca Christner
Executive Director, Rockland 21C

Our Partners

GOVERMENT

  • New York State Education Department
  • County of Rockland
  • Town of Ramapo

DISTRICTS AND BOCES

  • Clarkstown Central School District
  • East Ramapo Central School District
  • Nanuet Union Free School District
  • North Rockland Central School District
  • Nyack Union Free School District
  • Suffern Central School District
  • Rockland BOCES
  • South Orangetown Central School District
  • 360 School Districts in the NYS Eastern Region

NONPROFITS

  • Clarkstown Family Resource Center Partnership
  • Nanuet Family Resource Center
  • United Way of Rockland County
  • Over 200 organizations support the Family Resource Centers through Rockland 21C’s Service System

HEALTH

  • The Rockland County School Health and Wellness Coalition

COUNTY INITIATIVES

  • Rockland Immigration Coalition
  • Rockland Children’s Advocacy Network
  • Better Baby Care Campaign
  • Collaboratives
  • Various Short-Term Initiatives

NATIONAL

  • The Coalition for Community Schools; Community Schools Leadership Network (CSLN)
  • Institute for Educational Leadership’s Coalition for Community Schools