MD. Education Code Ann. §  5-203 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Education|Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education|Title 5 - Financing|Subtitle 2 - Aid to Education|Part I - Definitions|Section 5-203

    (a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.        (2)    “Community school” means a public school that establishes a set of strategic partnerships between the school and other community resources that promote student achievement, positive learning conditions, and the well–being of students by providing wraparound services.        (3)    “Eligible for free or reduced price meals” means eligible for free or reduced price meals based on eligibility requirements established by the United States Department of Agriculture.        (4)    (i)    “Eligible school” means a public school in which at least 80% of the students were eligible:                1.    For fiscal year 2020, for free or reduced price meals in the 2017–2018 school year; and                2.    For fiscal year 2021, for free or reduced price meals in the:                A.    2017–2018 school year; or                B.    2018–2019 school year.            (ii)    “Eligible school” does not include a school that is eligible to receive funding under this section but has closed.        (5)    “Program” means the Concentration of Poverty School Grant Program established under this section.        (6)    “Trauma–informed intervention” means a method for understanding and responding to an individual with symptoms of chronic interpersonal trauma or traumatic stress.        (7)    “Wraparound services” includes:            (i)    Extended learning time, including before and after school, weekends, summer school, and an extended school year;            (ii)    Safe transportation to school;            (iii)    Vision and dental care services;            (iv)    Establishing or expanding school–based health center services;            (v)    Additional social workers, mentors, counselors, psychologists, and restorative practice coaches;            (vi)    Enhancing physical wellness, including providing healthy food for in–school and out–of–school time and linkages to community providers;            (vii)    Enhancing behavioral health services, including access to mental health practitioners and providing professional development to school staff to provide trauma–informed interventions;            (viii)    Providing family and community engagement and supports, including informing parents of academic course offerings, language classes, workforce development training, opportunities for children, and available social services as well as educating families on how to monitor a child’s learning;            (ix)    Establishing and enhancing linkages to Judy Centers and other early education programs that feed into the school;            (x)    Enhancing student enrichment experiences;            (xi)    Improving student attendance;            (xii)    Improving the learning environment at the school; and            (xiii)    Any other professional development for teachers and school staff to quickly identify students who are in need of these resources.    (b)    (1)    There is a Concentration of Poverty School Grant Program in the State.        (2)    The purpose of the Program is to provide grants to eligible schools with a high concentration of students who are eligible for free or reduced price meals.    (c)    (1)    (i)    For each of fiscal years 2020 and 2021, the State shall distribute a grant to each county board equal to $248,833 for each eligible school in the county.            (ii)    Except as provided in subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph, each county board shall distribute directly to each eligible school an amount equal to $248,833.            (iii)    If a local school system has at least 40 eligible schools, the county board may, on behalf of eligible schools, expend the funds distributed by the State under this paragraph, provided that a plan is developed in consultation with the eligible schools that ensures that the requirements of subsection (d) of this section are met.        (2)    For each of fiscal years 2020 and 2021, the State shall distribute to the Department an amount equal to $126,170 to fund one director of community schools in the Department.    (d)    (1)    (i)    Each eligible school shall employ one community school coordinator staff position in the eligible school.            (ii)    1.    Each eligible school shall provide full–time coverage by at least one professional health care practitioner during school hours, including any extended learning time, who is a licensed physician, a licensed physician’s assistant, or a licensed registered nurse, practicing within the scope of the health care practitioner’s license.                2.    A health care practitioner providing coverage under this subparagraph may work under a school health services program, a county health department, or a school–based health center.                3.    This subparagraph may not be construed to:                A.    Require that an eligible school hire a full–time health care practitioner staff position; or                B.    Preclude the hiring of any other health care practitioners that meet the needs of the students.        (2)    Each eligible school shall use the grant to fund the requirements under paragraph (1) of this subsection.        (3)    If the grant provided to an eligible school exceeds the cost to employ the positions and provide the coverage required under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the eligible school may only use the excess funds to provide:            (i)    Wraparound services to the students enrolled in the eligible school; and            (ii)    The assessment required under subsection (e) of this section.        (4)    If an eligible school, as of June 30, 2019, employs an individual in a position or has the coverage required under paragraph (1) of this subsection, at least the same amount of funds shall be provided to the eligible school to be used for those positions or coverage in fiscal years 2020 and 2021.    (e)    (1)    The community school coordinator shall be responsible for establishing a community school, including completing an assessment by July 1, 2020, of the needs of the students in the school for appropriate wraparound services to enhance the success of all students in the school.        (2)    The assessment performed under this subsection shall:            (i)    Be done in collaboration with:                1.    The principal;                2.    A school health care practitioner; and                3.    A parent teacher organization or a school family council; and            (ii)    Include an assessment of the physical, behavioral, and emotional health needs of students, their families, and their communities.    (f)    A county that provides a school nurse, school health services, or community school services from funds outside of those made in the fiscal year 2019 local appropriation to the county board shall continue to provide at least the same resources to an eligible school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021.