School Linked Integration of Services for Children

This article examines ways in which the school-linked integration of services can be provided to students and their families. The first section presents several points that illustrate the critical need for improving service delivery to families. The need is escalated due to faltering support services, increasing poverty among young families, reluctance of the aging population to value the needs of children, increasing costs of human service and education delivery, and an alarming number of at-risk children. The second section offers questions to consider when designing and implementing a more comprehensive school-linked services system, such as role definition, territorial and political issues, legal and policy issues, alignment of goals and philosophy, funding, planning, time, governance, location of services, intensity of services, and accountability. The third section outlines strategies for success, and the next section highlights reasons why the school is the logical intersection for the integration of services for children. In conclusion, the integration of services can enhance, rather than erode, local determination of policy, vision, accountability, and advocacy. (LMI)