Community Partnership Schools are Uplifting Communities

For more than 120 years, the Children’s Home Society of Florida (CHS) has been a cornerstone of care and advocacy for children and families.

Founded in 1902, CHS has grown into one of the state’s most impactful nonprofits, providing critical services that include early childhood programs, counseling, foster care and adoption, and innovative educational initiatives.

Among its most transformative efforts is the Community Partnership Schools model — a bold reimagining of what a school can be when it becomes the heartbeat of a community.

Unlike other educational support models, Community Partnership Schools are built on long-term collaboration and deep integration.

Each school brings together at least four core partners — typically a school district, a nonprofit (often CHS), a healthcare provider, and a college or university — who work together to meet the full spectrum of student and family needs.

This model is designed to address challenges that go far beyond academics. At fully operational Community Partnership Schools, students and families have access to medical, dental, mental health, vision and telehealth services — all right on campus.

Expanded learning programs, family engagement efforts and wraparound supports ensure that each child is surrounded by a network of care.

The goal is to remove the barriers that prevent students from learning and thriving — and to do so in a way that feels local, consistent and built to last.

The model took root in 2010, when CHS co-founded the first Community Partnership School at Evans High School in Orlando, in partnership with Orange County Public Schools and the University of Central Florida.

Inspired by successful models in New York City, CHS and its collaborators believed Florida needed its own solution, tailored to its communities.

Fifteen years later, that seed has grown into a statewide network of 36 Community Partnership Schools, with seven more currently in development. Together, they serve over 33,000 public school students in high-need communities across the state, from elementary to high school.

Most participating schools are Title I eligible and located in areas facing economic challenges.

Each school typically employs a dedicated team, including a director, a health and wellness coordinator, an academic learning coordinator, and a family and community engagement coordinator.

These professionals work hand-in-hand to ensure the school functions not just as an educational institution but as a hub of safety, support, and empowerment.

Operating a Community Partnership School requires a real commitment — and a smart investment.

On average, it costs around $300,000 per year, or roughly $2 per student, per day, to coordinate services at a fully functional site.

That modest cost yields high-impact outcomes in academic success, attendance and family stability.

Another pillar in Community Partnership Schools is health and wellness.

“Wellness is the foundation for learning, growth and lasting change,” said Heather Miranda, executive vice president of Treasure Coast Community Health (TCCH).

TCCH provides medical, vision, dental, behavioral health and pharmacy services for the insured and uninsured in Indian River County across eight locations.

“Addressing the root causes that keep students and families from thriving, such as limited access to healthcare, mental health support, and basic needs, leads to improved lifelong health outcomes, reduced generational poverty and a more resilient community,” Miranda said.

“Healthy, supported students attend school more consistently, perform better academically, and are more likely to graduate.”

Funding for Community Partnership Schools comes from multiple streams.

The UCF Center for Community Schools manages a $7.1 million state grant program, which supports planning and implementation efforts. Schools are required to provide a 25% local funding match, and CHS actively raises additional dollars through fundraising, corporate sponsorships, community partnerships and philanthropy.

For 2025, CHS is requesting $11 million in legislative funding to maintain existing schools and expand into eight new communities.

But as CHS leadership often emphasizes, financial backing is only part of the equation. These schools succeed when entire communities invest — when local organizations, businesses and neighbors show up and contribute, they strengthen the web of care that supports every child.

Partnership with purpose. Build the future workforce, starting in our local schools.

Through the Community Partnership Schools model, students in Northeast Florida are gaining the stability, resources and support they need to succeed in school—and in life.

Become a Corporate Champion for Community Partnership Schools. Call today to schedule your tour.

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Children’s Home Society of Florida, Transforming Education