Collaborating to develop service programming to address community needs

Abstract

Promoting service-learning and citizenship education in K-12 schools and institutions of higher education is a large undertaking that requires a unique collaboration. In Florida, the Florida Alliance for Student Service (FASS) VISTA Initiative addresses community needs through a cadre of community service members, volunteers, and education professionals. This collaboration includes Learn and Serve America, Campus Compact, Community-Higher Education-School Partnership (CHESP), and AmeriCorps*VISTA members. This effective practice was highlighted in the National Service News, Issue No.170, October 28, 2002, published by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Issue

Sharing resources through a formal alliance of organizations committed to common goals to reduce costs and effort, and expand levels of service.

Action

The Florida Alliance for Student Service (FASS), a kindergarten through higher education collaboration, is the only formal alliance nationally where Learn and Serve America, Campus Compact, Community-Higher Education-School Partnership (CHESP), and AmeriCorps*VISTA are housed together. The FASS AmeriCorps*VISTA Initiative promotes service-learning and student civic engagement in K-12 schools and higher education institutions throughout Florida addressing poverty-related community needs. In 2002, the FASS AmeriCorps*VISTA initiative had 18 members serving at 14 sites from Miami to Panama City. According to the October issue of the National Service News, effective practices include:

The AmeriCorps*VISTA Initiative provides annual in-service training to AmeriCorps*VISTA members and supervisors that enhances the sustainability of service-learning efforts across Florida.
The FASS AmeriCorps*VISTA director and the AmeriCorps*VISTA leader coordinate statewide activities through site visits, newsletters, and meetings.
Statewide activities for the program year 2002 included:
- Helping students in grades 3-6 improve their research and reference skills, an area of weakness in the previous year's standardized tests. A community college professor from Brevard Community College engaged 40 students and staff from the college to conduct a series of group sessions providing 350 elementary school children with workshops and education.
- Setting up a service-learning water quality project. Science and math students from Taylor County High School taught elementary and middle school students methods for monitoring a local river, testing well water, and sharing research with the Environmental Protection Agency.
- Running a free community computer lab for youth, their parents, and seniors. Faculty and students from Miami Dade Community College helped keep the lab running by teaching classes and providing on-going technology support.
In 2002, The University of Florida, a project site, hosted a three-day intensive workshop for the Initiative on community change and partnership.

Context

Formed in the fall of 1998, FASS promotes the sharing of ideas, expertise, and collaboration for student service-learning in Florida. Administratively, FASS is part of Florida State University's Center for Civic Education and Service. FASS also collaborates with other partners in Florida including Florida Learn and Serve and Florida CHESP. These partnerships are a collaboration with the Florida Department of Education.

The Center for Civic Education and Service, part of the Division of Student Affairs at Florida State University, is the home of several statewide programs that promote and strengthen student service, service-learning, and civic engagement throughout all levels of education in Florida. Florida Learn and Serve, Florida CHESP, AmeriCorps*VISTA, and Florida Campus Compact are housed together and work cooperatively to multiply the resources and increase the capacity for schools and campuses to develop responsible citizens and help with community building.

Outcome

Working together, FASS programs increase collaboration, save money, and consolidate space and staffing, as well as expand programs, networks, and in-house expertise. They have created a K-HE infrastructure that links the existing assets of youth and schools to meet community needs.

AmeriCorps*VISTA members, in partnership with teachers and students, build capacity within service-learning programs by designing, facilitating, and coordinating student empowerment through service activities.

The Florida Commission on Community Service and the Florida State Office of the Corporation for National and Community Service are working together with FASS in 2002 to update the Unified State Plan for Florida Service. The resulting vision and action plan will promote greater levels of collaboration among partners and increase opportunities for service-learning and service among Floridians that will address the needs of their communities.