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 community institutions must work together to support the healthy development of children.

An extensive strategic planning process involving Rockland leaders and community members resulted in eight 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). Following Nyack’s success, additional districts opened their own FRCs, expanding access to programs, resources, and supports for children and families throughout Rockland County.

Today, Rockland 21C serves as a countywide backbone, bringing families, schools, and communities together to remove barriers and expand opportunities so children can learn, grow, and thrive.

Rockland 21C is a nonprofit governed by a board of leaders representing Rockland government, businesses, public agencies, school districts, and child-centered organizations, united around one priority: children. Rockland 21C also serves as the home base for a partnership through which eight Rockland County school districts support schools implementing the 21C Community Schools model, with a strong emphasis on families.

Rockland 21C brings innovative solutions, resources, best practices, technical assistance, and coordinated supports to its partners. Through Family Resource Centers, ParentChild+, and Community Schools, we connect children and families to supports that strengthen learning, well-being, and opportunity.

Every 21C school offers a unique blend of programs and services, actively engages families, and strengthens connections between schools and community resources.

Rockland 21C’s Board of Directors is a distinguished group of local leaders whose strategic decision-making and guidance steers the organization.

Miguelina Lopez, Chair
Retired Administrator, North Rockland School District

Bryan Burrell, Treasurer
Education Consultant

Debra Thomas, Secretary
Executive Director, Rockland Teachers’ Center Institute

___

Harriet Cornell, Chair Emerita
Retired Rockland County Legislator

Miriam Avila
Family Resource Center Coordinator, North Rockland School District

Jose Cintron
Spanish Ministry Pastor, Gracepoint Gospel

Kim Cross
Executive Director, Nyack Center

Daly Flanagan
Executive Director, Rockland Center for the Arts

Gail Fleur
Retired, Nyack Union Free School District

Susan Hoerter
Commissioner, Rockland County Mental Health Department

Michael Mark
Board Member, Nyack School Board

Lisa Weber
Retired Administrator, Suffern Central School District

Fanny Perez
Executive Director, Rockland 21C