The Illinois education system has undergone significant changes over the years and has increasingly turned to community-driven approaches to education that include whole-child supports. As part of its mission to develop and connect leaders who strengthen communities and education systems, the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) plays a vital role in advancing whole-child development across Illinois. IEL has been instrumental in fostering collaboration among schools, families, and communities to ensure that every child receives the support they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Since 1964, IEL has been a driving force behind national efforts to strengthen schools and communities by fostering shared leadership and collaboration. In Illinois, IEL has been working to support children, youth, and families through a Community Schools strategy and career-focused mentoring.
The Power of Community Schools
Whole-child development ensures that every child is healthy, supported, and prepared for life beyond the classroom. A whole-child approach recognizes that students’ success is deeply connected to their physical and mental health, their sense of belonging, and the resources available to them both in and out of school. Community Schools, a key strategy in this approach, serve as hubs that bring together expanded and culturally relevant curriculum, effective teaching practices, inclusive leadership, multi-tiered systems of support, family and community partnerships, and community support services, creating environments where students can thrive.
One key part of the whole-child development approach is the belief that every student deserves access to powerful, engaging learning experiences. In Illinois, IEL has been working to ensure that learning goes beyond the classroom, equipping both students and educators with the tools they need to succeed.
One part of this shift has been expanding the Full-Service Community Schools (FSCS) grant, led by a federally funded initiative to integrate education with comprehensive services. Illinois received its FSCS grant in 2022. In partnership with Metropolitan Family Services, the organization ACT Now is leading efforts to build strong, school-based support systems that connect families, educators, and community organizations. To support a whole-child approach in the state, IEL has partnered with ACT Now as a key presenter, facilitator, and resource, helping schools, families, and community organizations coordinate resources and build sustainable partnerships. IEL helps turn policy into practice, transforming the way education serves the whole child. Through strategic collaboration, IEL ensures that schools are not just places of learning but centers of opportunity, where students receive the support they need to thrive.
IEL has a regional partnership with the University Center of Lake County (UCLC). UCLC is a consortium-based center of thirteen Illinois public and private universities, located near the College of Lake County Community College campus and Lake County LEA. It was created by the Illinois Board of Higher Education in 1998 to provide place-based and accessible programs for residents to upscale their academic credentials or complete four-year or graduate degrees. In 2001, it created the University Center’s Educators Center for professional development and other services to schools, families, students, and teachers. When UCLC received a Full-Service Community School grant, they contacted IEL for support. IEL works with UCLC to support the development of a Community School system across multiple districts in Lake County through ongoing professional development, coaching, and systems-building technical assistance.
In partnership with Skokie-Morton Grove School District 69 and the national No Kid Hungry campaign, IEL has played a key role in increasing student participation in federally funded meal programs like SNAP and school meal initiatives. IEL helped the district develop a multi-tiered strategy to create sustainable food access solutions, ensuring that students have consistent, reliable sources of nutrition.
A major component of this work was the creation of a Trusted Partner Network (TPN), a team of school staff and community members trained to support families in navigating food assistance programs. IEL also facilitated professional learning sessions to equip educators with the knowledge to connect families to vital resources and co-developed communication materials to reduce stigma and increase awareness of available food programs. These efforts led to a lasting impact: the school district designated a dedicated staff member to lead food access initiatives, reinforcing a long-term commitment to ensuring no child goes hungry.
Beyond local efforts, Illinois leaders have been instrumental in regional collaborations aimed at strengthening Community Schools across the Midwest. At IEL’s Midwest Regional Convening, nearly 70 participants from a dozen Illinois communities, including representatives from Chicago Public Schools, joined us for a day of workshops, panel discussions, and role-alike sessions focused on collaborative solutions. This convening provided principals, Community School Coordinators, educators, and community partners with the tools and networks needed to advance holistic, school-based support systems.
Through its work in food security and integrated health and social support, IEL continues to support Illinois students both inside and outside the classroom.
Through all these initiatives, IEL has helped Skokie-Morton Grove School District 69 build sustainable strategies to increase food access for students and families. Through community conversations, professional learning, and coordinated outreach, the district and local partners have strengthened SNAP enrollment efforts and expanded support for federally funded meal programs. A significant milestone includes the district’s appointment of a dedicated staff member who leads advanced food access initiatives, demonstrating a long-term commitment to student health and well-being.
IEL’s work extends beyond school walls to address the broader social and economic factors that shape student success. One of the most impactful examples of this work is IEL’s partnership with Lawrence Hall, a community-based service agency in South Shore, Chicago, dedicated to helping young people overcome trauma and build stable futures.
IEL’s Support for Lawrence Hall: Building Capacity for Lasting Impact
By the entrance, a resource table is filled with job listings. The announcement board displays workforce development and community wellness programs. A wall of photos honors those who have gone through the program – some now thriving in jobs, others lost to community violence. Nearby, a closet, a recreation room, and music therapy sessions provide comfort, connection, and more importantly, a safe space and refuge for youth. On another wall, “South Shore Strong” serves as a reminder of resilience and community strength. A sign on the wall says, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” At Lawrence Hall, a community-based service agency dedicated to healing childhood trauma, that question drives everything. Walking through the doors of this important community center, one immediately senses its mission in action: hope, healing, and resiliency.
Since 2015, IEL has played a critical role in strengthening Lawrence Hall’s programs, helping the organization grow and sustain its vital services to youth in need. Located in the high-poverty, high-crime area of South Shore, Chicago, Lawrence Hall’s work primarily focuses on supporting local youth who face significant challenges, including mental health struggles, violence and community safety, unemployment and economic disparities, educational barriers and chronic absenteeism, and housing instability. Through structured support and technical assistance, IEL helped Lawrence Hall develop two key programs: the Right Turn Career-Focused Transition Initiative and the Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program (RAMP). These programs focus on career transitioning, social work, and youth services, offering a comprehensive support system for young people as they move from foster care, shelter, or home placements into stable futures.
IEL’s involvement provides structure and guidance, ensuring the organization meets objectives and tracks outcomes. This includes creating individualized plans for youth, ensuring consistent program delivery, and providing extensive training at the outset, along with ongoing technical assistance. IEL’s help in managing federal grants is also pivotal, enabling Lawrence Hall to secure funding it had not accessed previously. By helping the organization navigate the complexities of financing, including receipt submissions and identifying additional funding sources, IEL ensured that Lawrence Hall’s programs could expand their reach and impact.
Ebony Watson, IEL’s Vice President of Youth Leadership and Transition Initiatives and the national program manager of RAMP, shared that:
“Many of the youths we helped couldn’t see past tomorrow. Many didn’t know if they would make it to 18.”
Through IEL’s support, Lawrence Hall has empowered these young people to envision a future beyond immediate hardships. Thanks to IEL’s guidance, one youth who participated in the programs went on to become a coordinator, showcasing the transformation Lawrence Hall facilitates.
In South Shore, a community struggling with systemic education, workforce, and health issues, IEL’s partnership has helped Lawrence Hall create a safe space for youth facing daily challenges by advancing the program’s ability to secure funding, meet objectives, and consistently offer quality support. IEL has played a pivotal role in helping the organization achieve its goals and, most importantly, in giving youth the tools to build a future of hope.
Conclusion: A Path Forward for Illinois
IEL’s work in Illinois demonstrates the power of whole-child development, ensuring that learning, health, and social support are interconnected. From expanding professional development for educators to removing barriers to student success, IEL has helped turn schools into places where children thrive.
However, the work is far from over. Systemic inequities persist, and many Illinois communities still face barriers to providing equitable education. But with strong partnerships, shared leadership, and a commitment to whole-child development, Illinois can continue to build a future where every child and young person, no matter their background, has the support and opportunities they need to succeed.