Student and Family Support and Engagement
Linkages to Learning is a community school partnership with an integrated focus on health, social services, community engagement and leadership to support student learning, strong families, and healthy communities.
We are an award-winning prevention and intervention initiative established by the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (MCDHHS), MCPS and local public and private nonprofit agencies.
Linkages to Learning assists students and their families by providing or connecting them to services and resources that address the social, economic, health, and emotional issues that may interfere with student success. We assist whole school communities by bringing additional partners and resources into the school house to offer a range of supports and opportunities to students and families.
About Us
For over 25 years, Linkage to Learning has served school communities in Montgomery County with high rates of poverty. Listen to how we helped students and their families obtain the resources and supports they need to become successful in their school and communities.
Our Schools
Linkages to Learning serves 31 school communities. In nine of these schools, we are part of a larger School-Based Health Center (SBHC) offering expanded primary health services. See the map below to see which Linkages to Learning primary service provider(s) are located in which schools.
School Sites – Staff Directory
Elementary Schools
- Arcola ES
- Fox Chapel ES
- Gaithersburg ES – School Based Health Center
- Georgian Forest ES
- Greencastle ES
- Harmony Hills ES – School Based Health Center
- Highland ES – School Based Health Center
- Harriet Tubman ES
- JoAnn Leleck ES – School Based Health Center
- Kemp Mill ES
- Maryvale ES
- Montgomery Knolls ES
- New Hampshire Estates ES – School Based Health Center
- Oak View ES
- Pine Crest ES
- Rolling Terrace ES – School Based Health Center
- Rosemont ES
- Sargent Shriver ES
- South Lake ES
- Summit Hall ES – School Based Health Center
- Viers Mill ES – School Based Health Center
- Washington Grove ES
- Weller Road ES – School Based Health Center
- Wheaton Woods ES
Middle Schools
Awards
Maryland United 4 Youth 2019 Award Finalist: Community School Partner of the Year
2014 Outstanding Organization (City of Gaithersburg)
2011 Human Values Award - Honorable Mention (Art of Living Foundation/ International Association for Human Values)
2003 Award for Distinguished Service to Public Education (Montgomery County Board of Education)
2000 All-America City Award
What We Do
Our goal is to ensure students are ready to enter school, are healthy, attend school regularly, and are academically successful. Our comprehensive services fall within these four areas:
Family Services
We assist you with:
- Obtaining community resources such as food, housing, health insurance, clothing, and other types of aid
- Arranging legal, immigration, medical, dental and employment services
- Interpretation or translation services
- Emergency transportation assistance
- Accessing child care, after school and summer camp programs
- Preventing eviction and utility cut-off
Community Education and Development
We link you to:
- Adult education classes, including English literacy
Learn more - After school and evening youth activities
- Academic tutoring and homework programs
- Parent support programs
- Community-wide events, including community service and volunteer activities
Behavioral Health Services
We arrange for you:
- Mental health services for children
- Student support groups
- Medication evaluation and psychiatric care
- Child, family, and group counseling
- School support services
- Crisis intervention
Additional Health Services
(available at school based Health Centers)
We provide you with:
- Physical examinations and immunizations
- Medical care or referral for children with acute and chronic illnesses
- Routine or emergency health services
- Prescription medicine
- Health and nutrition education
Resources
Linkages to Learning Brochure
Español / Français / አማርኛ / Tiếng Việt / 中文 / 한국어
History of Linkages to Learning
Strategic Plan – NEW Update Coming Soon
Research and Evaluation
Evaluation of the Implementation of Linkages to Learning: Status of the Initiative in MCPS (2015)
Evaluation of Linkages to Learning in MCPS (2015)
Linkages to Learning in Publications
Two-Generation Approaches for Immigrant Family Advancement
Evaluation of Community Schools
Prevention Strategies that Work
Relationship of School-Based Mental Health Services to Assessment of Student Behavior
Related Links
Department of Health and Human Services/Linkages to Learning
Coalition for Community Schools
Montgomery Coalition of Adult English Literacy
Maryland Assembly of School-Based Health Care
Center for School Mental Health
How to Help
Participate and Volunteer
Volunteers offer a huge resource to and support for our Linkages to Learning schools. Your time and skills not only benefit the students, but has a positive impact on the classroom, the school and the entire community!
Call 240-777-1731 or email us if you are interested. You can also visit MCPS Volunteer FAQs to learn more about MCPS volunteer training and background check requirements.
Donate
Help support the mission of Linkages to Learning through a tax-deductible donation.
Partner With Us
If your organization would like to work with us to deliver services on-site at one or more of our Linkages schools, please contact us. We welcome your support and interest!
Contact Us
Linkages To Learning
1401 Rockville Pike
3rd Floor, Suite 310
Rockville, MD 20852
240-777-1731
Email Us
Collaborative Management Team
Kirsten Andersen – MCDHHS Administrator
Elena DosReis – MCDHHS Partner Agencies Liaison
Hope McGuire – MCPS Program Manager
A Community School Partnership among:
