Communities Serving Schools Act of 2021

To direct the Secretary of Education to establish a program to assist certain schools with respect to the implementation of wraparound services, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Communities Serving Schools Act of 2021 2. Wraparound services grant program (a) In general From the amounts appropriated under subsection (f), the Secretary of Education shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to State educational agencies or local educational agencies in order to provide, to eligible schools, wraparound services that address out-of-school factors that interfere with learning. (b) Applications (1) Grant application To be eligible for a grant under this section, a State educational agency or local educational agency shall submit to the Secretary an application in such form, at such time, and containing such information as the Secretary determines appropriate. (2) Subgrant application To be eligible for a subgrant under this section, a local educational agency shall submit to the appropriate State educational agency an application in such form, at such time, and containing such information as the State educational agency determines appropriate. (c) Use of funds (1) Use of funds by State educational agency A State educational agency that receives grant funds under subsection (a) shall use such funds to award subgrants to local educational agencies served by the State educational agency. (2) Use of funds by local educational agency A local educational agency that receives grant funds under subsection (a) or subgrant funds under paragraph (1) shall use the funds for the following activities for each eligible school served by the local educational agency: (A) Implementing a planning period that involves— (i) assessing the needs and strengths of the school; and (ii) selecting relevant programs and tiered supports that match the individual needs of each student. (B) Partnering with a nonprofit or community-based organization with a demonstrated record of providing high-quality, evidence-based wraparound services for children. (C) Hiring an on-site coordinator who will— (i) ensure wraparound services are aligned with student needs; and (ii) connect students to the right services and supports in an efficient manner. (D) Ensuring integration of wraparound services within the school. (E) Tracking data on an annual basis. (d) Duration A grant or subgrant awarded under this section shall be for a 4-year period. (e) Limitation With respect to a 4-year grant period, a local educational agency may only receive a grant or a subgrant under this section for such grant period. (f) Reports (1) In general Not later than 2 years after the date on which the first grant is awarded under this section, and 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report (with information disaggregated in accordance with paragraph (2)) including— (A) with respect to an eligible school receiving assistance under this section, descriptions of any changes relating to— (i) average daily attendance; (ii) on-time graduation rate; (iii) chronic absenteeism; (iv) rate of promotion to the following grade; (v) student health (including mental health); (vi) behavioral issues, including— (I) issues that harm the well-being of a student; and (II) issues that put a student at risk of not graduating; (vii) overall academic progress; (viii) annual dropout rates; (ix) school climate; and (x) school engagement; and (B) recommendations with respect to best practices for implementing high-quality wraparound services in elementary and secondary schools, including with respect to— (i) data tracking; (ii) integration of services; (iii) conducting assessments of the needs and strengths of a school; and (iv) partnering with organizations. (2) Disaggregation (A) In general The information described under paragraph (1)(A), with respect to a school, shall be disaggregated, where appropriate, by— (i) all students enrolled in such school; and (ii) all students— (I) enrolled in such school; and (II) receiving wraparound services. (B) Further disaggregation The information disaggregated in accordance with clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A) shall be further disaggregated by— (i) race; (ii) ethnicity; and (iii) income. (g) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $1,000,000,000. (h) Definitions In this section: (1) ESEA terms (A) In general The terms elementary school local educational agency secondary school State educational agency 20 U.S.C. 7801 (B) Eligible school attendance area The term eligible school attendance area 20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(2) (2) Eligible school The term eligible school (3) Wraparound service The term wraparound service (A) assistance with— (i) academics; (ii) mental health; or (iii) physical health; (B) provision of basic needs (including food, housing, and clothing); (C) enrichment and after-school programs; (D) life skills; (E) behavioral interventions; (F) college and career preparation; and (G) service and community-based learning.

Summary: Communities Serving Schools Act of 2021 This bill directs the Department of Education to award four-year competitive grants to state and local educational agencies for implementing wraparound services in public elementary and secondary schools. Wraparound service refers to a school-based service that targets academic and non-academic barriers to student achievement, including assistance with academics and physical and mental health, provision of basic needs (e.g., food, housing, and clothing), and college and career preparation. A state educational agency that receives a grant must award subgrants to local educational agencies. A local educational agency that receives a grant or subgrant must use these funds for certain activities, such as hiring an on-site coordinator to ensure wraparound services are aligned with student needs and to connect students with those services.