About Us: S-TAC
Launched in 2022, the California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP) reflects California’s historic investment in educational equity and whole-child development. The State Transformational Assistance Center (S-TAC) was established through a partnership among the UCLA Center for Community Schooling, Californians for Justice (CFJ), and the National Education Association (NEA) to provide statewide technical assistance, professional learning, and tools that help schools and districts bring the community schools vision to life.
In 2025, the CCSPP entered its second phase and was awarded to the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE), ushering in a new era of collaboration and growth. Under SCOE’s leadership, S-TAC continues to strengthen regional partnerships, expand communities of practice, and align efforts with statewide initiatives such as universal preschool, school-based health, and the Golden State Pathways program.
Together, we are reimagining public education so every student, family, and community in California can thrive.
Overarching Values
The California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP) is guided by four overarching values. First, racially-just, relationship-centered spaces focus on building trust, inclusivity, and positive school climates that nurture belonging and equity among students, families, educators, and the community. Second, shared power emphasizes democratic decision-making, ensuring all stakeholders have a voice in shaping the school environment through collaboration and collective ownership. Third, classroom-community connections integrate real-world, culturally responsive learning experiences that engage students with their local communities, fostering civic engagement and relevant education. Lastly, a focus on continuous improvement drives schools to use reflection, data, and collaboration as tools for growth, ensuring educational strategies are equity-driven and responsive to student needs. These values collectively support the pillars of community schools, fostering holistic and inclusive learning environments.
California Community Schools Framework
Welcome! The California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP) provides an opportunity to transform schools into community hubs that deliver a whole child education. The CCSPP enables California to “build a cohesive statewide approach that mitigates the disparate impacts of COVID-19 on student learning, cognitive and social development, and emotional well-being.” It is designed to “accelerate efforts across the state to reimagine schools in ways that are aligned with the equity goals that support the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of California’s families.”
The CCSPP supports schools’ efforts to partner with community agencies and local government to align community resources to improve student outcomes and provide an integrated focus on academics, health and social services, youth and community development, and community engagement.
CCSPP Over the Years
Community schools are a century-old idea. In response to profound and persistent inequities in educational opportunities and outcomes, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, a growing number of states and local governments are reinvigorating this century-old concept, including California. In order to build a cohesive statewide approach that eases the distinct impacts of COVID-19 on student learning, cognitive and social development, and emotional well-being, the California Department of Education (CDE) has launched an initiative called the California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP). This initiative is designed to accelerate efforts across the state to reimagine schools as empowering, racially-just, relationship-centered spaces where all students thrive–community schools.
Regional Technical Assistance Centers
(R-TACs)
Eight Regional Technical Assistance Centers (R-TACs) were identified by the California Department of Education to support the ongoing planning and implementation of the California Community Schools Partnership Program. The eight regional centers support California’s vast regional areas.
Youth R-TAC (Statewide Student Advisory Board, SSA)
The Statewide Youth R-TAC aims to offer a year-long platform to empower, strategize, and steer California’s community schools initiative. The Youth R-TAC is a platform created to inspire next-generation leaders and cultivate more spaces where their voices, ideas, and experiences are valued and reflected appropriately. Additionally, the Student Advisory provides critical guidance to Summit planning and implementation.
Our Advisory Board
The S-TAC convenes an Advisory Board that includes leading experts in the Community Schools Movement who share a passion for and commitment to serving the whole child through a collaborative and democratic approach to transformational social change. Our Board meets regularly to provide feedback on key deliverables and strategy.
Contact Us
Have questions or need assistance? Our team is dedicated to providing the support you need. Whether you’re looking for guidance, resources, or answers, we’re just a message away. Your success is our priority—don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Find quick answers to common questions in our FAQ section. Whether you’re looking for guidance, troubleshooting tips, or detailed information about our supports, this is the place to start. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, feel free to reach out—we’re happy to help!