Ministry Policy Site


Policy Document: CommunityLINK Policy

This page sets forth the ministry policy entitled "CommunityLINK Policy". Scroll down for details, or click any of the anchors below to move directly to a specific part of the policy document.

Bullet Title Bullet Dates Bullet Status Bullet Policy Statement
Bullet Rationale Bullet Legislation/Regulations
Bullet Additional Definitions Bullet Policy Detail
Bullet Procedures Bullet References/Resources Bullet Contact

TITLE

CommunityLINK Policy

DATES

The policy is effective July 1, 2006

STATUS

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

POLICY STATEMENT

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

RATIONALE

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

LEGISLATION/ REGULATIONS

As per the Statement of Education Policy Order

“The purpose of the British Columbia school system is to enable learners to develop their individual potential and to acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to contribute to a healthy society and a prosperous and sustainable economy.”
ADDITIONAL DEFINITIONS

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

Vulnerable Students: for the purpose of the CommunityLINK policy, the term “vulnerable studentsmeans 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.

POLICY

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.
School districts have the responsibility and flexibility to determine the most effective use of CommunityLINK funding for programs and services to support vulnerable students.
PROCEDURES

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 Word Document.

The ministry expects that districts will maintain data and records to support their evidence-based CommunityLINK programs and services.
REFERENCES/ RESOURCES

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.
CONTACT

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.

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