The Challenge

Children and youth can face barriers that affect their ability to learn and thrive—including food insecurity, limited access to health and mental health services, transportation and housing challenges, language barriers, limited opportunities for parents to engage in their children’s education, and a lack of expanded and enriched learning opportunities.

Many of these challenges cannot be addressed by schools alone. Schools, families, community organizations, public agencies, and businesses all have a stake in the well-being and success of children. When these partners work together around shared goals, they can remove barriers, expand opportunities, and create stronger pathways for children and families. Building and sustaining those connections, however, takes coordination. That’s where Rockland 21C comes in.

Through our Community Schools model, Rockland 21C brings schools, families, and communities together and helps align resources, relationships, and supports around the needs of children and families. We help create the conditions for learning so children and youth can access the opportunities they need to succeed, parents are meaningfully engaged in their children’s education, educators can focus on teaching and learning, and communities are strengthened.

Through 21C Family Resource Centers, ParentChild+, and Community Schools, the 21C service system brings family, school, and community together, removing barriers, expanding opportunity, and creating the conditions children need to reach their full potential.

Together, we are building a more connected Rockland where every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.