Recently, United Way of Erie County staff had the opportunity to present at two notable conferences, sharing lessons learned, best practices, and expertise developed through years of implementing and supporting the Community Schools Model in Erie County.
The first opportunity took place at the Institute for Educational Leadership's (IEL) 2026 National Community Schools and Family Engagement Conference in Long Beach, California. This annual conference brings together educators, community leaders, and practitioners from across the country who are committed to ensuring every child has the support and opportunities needed to be successful.
This year's conference theme, Guiding Lights, Brighter Futures, emphasized the power of collaboration, leadership, and community partnerships in creating brighter futures for students and families. The conference serves as a space for learning, networking, and sharing innovative approaches that strengthen Community Schools nationwide.
Sara Naughton, Associate Vice President of Data and Evaluation, presented "Building a Strong Backbone Organization: Tips and Tricks for Sustainable Community School Frameworks." Sara also serves as the United Way Leadership Council Network Co-Chair for IEL, helping guide national conversations with local United Ways around Community Schools and collective impact. During her session, she shared practical strategies for building sustainable systems, leveraging data, and creating strong organizational structures that support long-term success.
Mike Jaruszewicz, President of United Way of Erie County, Meghan Easter, Associate Vice President of Community Schools, and Sara Naughton, Associate Vice President of Data and Evaluation led "The United Way Advantage: Mastering Community Schools Backbone Work." Their presentation focused on how United Ways can effectively support and fund the backbone work of Community Schools. They discussed how successful partnerships go far beyond transactional support, requiring trust, collaboration, and a deep understanding of school district needs to ensure students, families, and schools receive the resources and support they need.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the country, Julie Chacona, Executive Vice President, and Jeanette Craig, Community School Director Supervisor, presented at the United Way of Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Conference. In partnership with United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, they led a session focused on why United Ways are uniquely positioned to serve as strong backbone organizations for Community Schools. Together, they shared lessons learned from launching and growing Community School initiatives, highlighting the importance of building strong partnerships, collecting and utilizing data, and effectively telling the story of impact.
We are both humbled and proud to be recognized as leaders in the Community Schools movement and grateful for the opportunity to share our experiences with colleagues from across the country. By contributing to these national and statewide conversations, we hope to help ensure Community Schools everywhere are equipped with the tools, partnerships, and strategies needed to create lasting impact for the students and families they serve.