Ministry Policy Site

CommunityLINK Policy

The policy is effective July 1, 2006

NEW policy; this policy replaces the previous language used in CommunityLINK funding grants to districts.

The purpose of CommunityLINK programs and services is to improve the educational performance, including the academic achievement and social functioning, of vulnerable students.

Vulnerable students sometimes require extra support in order to achieve optimal educational outcomes.

As per the Statement of Education Policy Order

CommunityLINK : LINK is an acronym for Learning Includes Nutrition and Knowledge

Vulnerable Students: for the purpose of the CommunityLINK policy, the term “vulnerable students” means those students who may be at risk in terms of academic achievement and social functioning. These students primarily come from less affluent socio-economic backgrounds. In determining which students may be vulnerable, school districts may consider: low income measures; involvement with the provincial social service ministries and related agencies; community socio-economic demographics; information obtained through community mapping; and other relevant information including staff observation and self-identification.

CommunityLINK Schools: for the purpose of the CommunityLINK policy, the term “CommunityLINK schools” means schools with a significant percentage of vulnerable students. In determining vulnerability, school districts may consider: low income measures; involvement with the provincial social service ministries and related agencies; information obtained through community mapping; community socio-economic demographics, such as aboriginal ancestry, and other relevant information.

The province provides annual CommunityLINK funding to school districts. The purpose of CommunityLINK funding is to support programs and services to improve the educational performance, including the academic achievement and social functioning, of vulnerable students.

In providing CommunityLINK programs and services, school districts will:

• establish effective programs which directly support vulnerable students;
• target CommunityLINK funds to vulnerable students;
• support family and community involvement;
• promote partnerships and an integrated approach to supporting vulnerable students with families, communities and service providers.

Districts must report annually to the ministry by November 15 on CommunityLINK results, activities and expenditures for the previous school year using the following template .

General information on CommunityLINK may be found at CommunityLINK general info including the history of CommunityLINK funding and research supporting CommunityLINK funding.

Please go here for CommunityLINK detailed info including:

• promising practices for nutrition programs, support workers, inner city schools, school grants, community schools and other district CommunityLINK programs and services;
• contact names and other helpful information.

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions about the CommunityLINK policy, please contact Equity and Diversity, EDUC.DiversityandEquity@gov.bc.ca, BC Ministry of Education.