Rutherford Schools Joins Community Partnership Program

Children’s Home Society of Florida to expand Community Partnership Schools™ model to second school in Bay County

Panama City, FL — Rutherford Middle & High School will become the second school in Bay County to adopt the innovative Community Partnership Schools™ model this year with partnerships among Children’s Home Society of Florida, Bay District Schools, Gulf Coast State College and PanCare Health.

The partnerships are announced as the next step in growing the successful model first implemented in Orlando at Evans High School in 2012 and expanded to more than 40 schools statewide, transforming tens of thousands of lives.

The effective Community Partnership Schools™ model requires at least 4 core partners – including the school district, a healthcare provider, a nonprofit organization and a college or university – to agree to a 25-year commitment to the school and community, impacting generations.

Founded by the Children’s Home Society of Florida and the University of Central Florida, the Community Partnership Schools™ model engages core partners, collaborating with local nonprofits, businesses, the faith community, and other stakeholders. Together, they operate within schools to tackle crucial barriers to learning, such as food insecurity, poverty inadequate access to affordable healthcare, behavioral health services, and heightened rates of violence and crime, among other identified challenges.

Children’s Home Society of Florida received $80,000 in state grant funds after being selected by UCF’s Center for Community Schools to launch a community partnership school at Rutherford Middle & High School, in addition to local financial contributions to support this initiative.

“We are immensely inspired by the transformative initiatives underway at Parker Elementary School through the Community Partnership Schools™ model,” said Bay District Schools Superintendent Mark McQueen. “Knowing that this impactful outreach extends now to Rutherford is something to celebrate and is a testament to the collective efforts of our valued partners who breathe life into this program. Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to all those who were instrumental in making this vision a reality. We know this partnership and program expansion will provide invaluable support for Rutherford’s students, families and staff and we’re excited to support this outreach effort.”

“We are so excited to expand our impact within the Greater Pensacola community as we partner with students and families attending Rutherford Middle & High School,” said Lindsey Cannon, Children’s Home Society of Florida Executive Director. “While already connecting with many of these families from their earliest stages of education at Parker Elementary, A Community Partnership School, it is truly an honor to further our reach as we continue to provide support and resources through to the pivotal middle and high school years, enveloping students in comprehensive care throughout their educational journey.”

The first step toward implementation is the planning phase, which includes a community needs assessment. Students, teachers, parents and community members identify their primary needs and challenges, the results of which will determine the services and solutions that will be brought into the school.

“Gulf Coast State College is honored to be conducting the community needs assessment for Rutherford Middle and High School,” said Dr. Cheryl Flax-Hyman, GCSC Executive Vice President. “Being able to provide this service as a partner with Rutherford, for a Community Partnership School emphasizes our continued commitment to their students and the surrounding community. This partnership will create a positive and transformative environment for all involved. It will provide increased access to resources, leading to improved educational outcomes, and enhanced community engagement.”

Other critical components of this model include a focus on parental and family engagement, as well as comprehensive health and wellness efforts.

“We take immense pride in being a core partner of the Community Partnership Schools model at Rutherford Middle and High School. At PanCare, ensuring top-notch care is fundamental to our mission within the community. Offering healthcare access to students and extending support to families at no-cost is a significant commitment for our organization. This dedication resonates deeply with our entire staff, many of whom have deep roots in this area. Our aim is to forge partnerships within the community as part of our ongoing efforts to enhance the well-being of our residents, friends, and families. We’re looking forward to building these connections and making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.”

This collaborative approach leverages schools as central hubs toward improving child well-being by addressing key barriers to learning through counseling, medical and dental services, after-school enrichment, mentoring programs, and more.”

Because they center on unique community needs, each Community Partnership School is different, but they all share a similar goal – to empower students to succeed in school and life.

Specific successes through the Community Partnership Schools™ model include increased graduation rates, reduced disciplinary actions and increased parental involvement.

With the addition of Rutherford Middle & High School, Children’s Home Society of Florida has expanded the Community Partnership Schools™ model to two schools in Bay County, including Parker Elementary. This establishes a complete feeder pattern, ensuring continuous support for students throughout their educational journey—from early kindergarten years through to high school graduation.

CHS received additional planning grants to implement the Community Partnership Schools™ model at Bellview Middle School, Campbell Middle School and Long Branch Elementary. CHS is a core partner in 31 of 44 Community Partnership Schools in Florida – more than any other entity in the state.

About Children’s Home Society of Florida

On the front lines since 1902, Children’s Home Society of Florida is the oldest and largest statewide organization devoted to helping children and families. Children’s Home Society of Florida serves more than 59,000 children and family members throughout the state each year. More: www.chsfl.org.

Note: The University of Central Florida Center for Community Schools serves as the statewide grant administrator of the Community School Grant Program; provides technical assistance to community schools; and oversees a rigorous, strengths-based certification process for schools to become UCF-Certified Community Partnership Schools.

About PanCare

A strong community partner of Northwest Florida, PanCare extends affordable and no-cost healthcare services to the residents of Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Walton, and Washington Counties. This comprehensive range of offerings includes primary and walk-in medical care, dental, optometry, behavioral health, Pharmacy, School Health, Telehealth, and proudly, the largest mobile healthcare fleet in the State of Florida.

PanCare’s mission is to provide a comprehensive system of quality health care services which is easily accessed by all persons and families within our service areas through an efficient, community-based network of caring professionals who assure the dignity and respect of each individual they serve.