VIDEO: Rey Saldaña, Communities in Schools, interview with WXIN-TV in Indianapolis

(Arlington, VA, Wednesday, June 3, 2020) – For many students, school provides resources, such as food security, facilitate connections to a community of caring adults, counseling needs and other resources that they can’t otherwise receive, creating a feeling of uncertainty and anxiety for many families. Now, as we head into the summer months, kids will be negatively affected by the learning they lost out on with schools having to close early due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This public health crisis is also exposing educational and social inequities which have been a long-term crisis in the U.S. About one in six children under 18 living in poverty and 1.5 million children are homeless. They are especially vulnerable during this crisis with the disruptions to their education, limited access to technology needed for online learning, food insecurity for students who depend on school meals, lack of access to medical attention and financial challenges for working parents and families.

Communities in Schools works directly in 2,300 schools in 25 states and the District of Columbia to build relationships that empower students to stay in school and succeed in life, with businesses, volunteers, agencies, healthcare providers and educators to help students stay focused.

Rey Saldaña, President and CEO, Communities in Schools, discusses:

• Effects of extended learning loss on kids
• The public health crisis in low income communities
• Next steps: How long-term learning loss and trauma should be dealt with by districts
• The Communities in Schools program and the tools and resources for families

For more information, please visit https://www.communitiesinschools.org/.