Partnership and Governance

1. There is a documented vision, mission and goals for the COZ, developed by the partnership.
2. Partners have developed collaborative strategies for implementing the goals of the COZ that avoids duplication, improves access to programs and services and builds community capacity to address identified needs.
3. Partners utilize their resources to meet the priorities of the school and community.
4. Partners use strategies are used to engage members of the community who traditionally do not participate in planning.
5. A governing body of 12-20 representatives that reflects the diversity of the community oversees program and fiscal decisions of the COZ and is responsible for the direction, operation and evaluation of the COZ.
6. Parents comprise a significant portion of the governance; at least 33%.
7. By-laws define authority, roles, responsibilities, and levels of decision-making to oversee the activities of the COZ.
8. Mechanisms are in place for broad participation and input to the governance.
9. The governance ensures that the COZ has qualified staff and a plan for fiscal management.
10. The governance collects data on services and program performance for the purpose of program improvement.

1. A comprehensive community needs, resources, and capacity assessment is conducted at least once every five years, building on existing information and data collected by the community and the school.
2. Targeted assessments are completed as needed to develop specific programs and services.
3. Multiple methods are used to gather information and include input from all partners.
4. The assessment data is used to drive and design programs and activities.

1. Families feel welcomed in the school.
2. COZ and school representatives participate in one another’s policy-making groups.
3. Teachers use the COZ to support children and families.
4. The principal and teachers commit time to work with the COZ leadership to identify strategies that will enhance the family/school partnership.
5. The school and the COZ offer a range of opportunities for families to participate in the school, in their child’s education and in school improvement planning.
6. The COZ and the school have developed strategies to promote meaningful and reciprocal communication between home and school.
7. The COZ connects with and supports the efforts of existing parent and student groups, and networks with parents and students to strengthen family/school partnerships.
8. The COZ Family Center is located in or near a school that provides space and equipment (in-kind) needed to support and implement the activities of the COZ.
9. The COZ targets one school to maximize the impact of programs and services for the children and families in that school neighborhood.

1. The COZ works with partners to develop programs and coordinate services that are not currently on site, available in the community, or do not have the capacity to meet the needs of all families, in the areas of:  before and after school child care; early childhood care and education; family support; physical, mental, and dental health care services; school-age enrichment and education support; preventive health and safety programs; and adult education.
2. Leadership, resources, and educational materials for implementing newly developed programs are shared by the partnership.
3. The COZ offers opportunities to students and their families that reinforce and compliment the school improvement plan and promote student success.
4. The COZ provides outreach and referrals to students and families to access programs and services.
5. Programs and services are varied in both time and content to accommodate family needs, interests, and schedules.
6. Formal agreements exist between partners that define services and protocols.
7. A variety of strategies are used to provide information on choices of programs and services that are culturally and linguistically appropriate and at literacy levels reflective of the population.
8. Partners develop strategies to assess the quality of programs, services, outreach, and the referral system.

1. The COZ provides a range of opportunities for families and students to identify, develop and use their skills, interests and talents in leadership roles.
2. Strategies are used to ensure the participation of families and students in the school and the COZ.
3. Student and family perspectives and input are valued and utilized in major decisions of the COZ.
4. The COZ engages families and students as leaders in outreaching to other students and families in the school community.

1. Outreach efforts and public education materials inform students, families and the community about COZ activities, programs and services.
2. On-going public relations and opportunities are developed and sustained with a broad range of media contacts, community groups, and policy-makers.
3. Printed materials are available that are culturally and linguistically appropriate, and at literacy levels appropriate to the community.
4. Appropriate partners, families and students participate in developing public engagement materials.

1. The COZ has a multi-year funding strategy that ensures sustainability and required resource match.
2. The COZ uses diverse funding sources that may include district, school, state, federal, corporate, grant, and other funds.
3. Funding sources align and support the mission and goals of the COZ.
4. Fiscal and non-fiscal resources reflect shared responsibilities and commitments of partners.