A new grant-funded Community Schools program in place in Washington County Schools (WCS) promises to “make a real difference” in supporting “whole child” development, Superintendent David White says.

WCS Coordinator Wysonza James says early benefits include a tele-health model launched this week for acute physical health care and a soon-to-be family resource center to meet student and family needs with features like food storage, cooking and laundry facilities.

The Community Schools program springs from a $10 million per year grant provided to Duke University in 2023 by the U.S. Department of Education to fund a community schools coalition. The initiative debuted last year at five North Carolina schools and expands into six more locales (including WCS) this school year...