History

The Children’s Aid Society

The Children’s Aid Society has been serving children for more than 150 years, a testament to our adaptability to the ever-changing needs of young people. Today, Children’s Aid serves more than 150,000 children and their families at more than 45 sites throughout New York City. All aspects of a child’s development are addressed as he or she grows, from health care to academics to sports and the arts. Because stable children live in stable families, a host of services are available to parents, including housing assistance, domestic violence counseling and health care access.

CAS Community Schools

For almost 20 years, The Children’s Aid Society has operated community schools in partnership with the New York City Department of Education. Starting with the remarkable success of IS 218 and PS 5 in Washington Heights, the effort has grown to encompass 20 elementary, middle and high schools located in several of New York City’s neediest neighborhoods. These partnerships—which drew upon a rich tradition of community schooling that can be traced back to social reformers such as John Dewey and Jane Addams—became the CAS model. It’s a powerful model because it draws on a strong body of current research about the supports, services and opportunities needed by young people as they move toward productive adulthood.

National Center for Community Schools

In 1994, The Children’s Aid Society created the National Center for Community Schools in an effort to respond to the increased demand for information and advice about community schools implementation. The Center facilitates learning opportunities that draw on our community schools practice in New York City, as well as on lessons learned from around the country, including other models. The Center also plays a leading role in local and national advocacy to advance the community schools movement and highlight this approach in the broader education agenda.