How to Begin CLC Implementation and Continue Moving Forward

Successful implementation of meaningful CLC requires eleven essential ingredients:

• Leadership and political will. It all begins with leadership. Your success is dependent on strong leadership that prioritizes CLC implementation and infusion. During trying economic and political times, it takes courage and political will to make an effective case to decision-makers that CLC is essential, fundamental, socially just—and worth funding. 
• Commitment and resolve. All levels, from policymakers and funders to teachers and aides, must conclude for themselves that there is a need for CLC, and then make a commitment to infuse CLC into all aspects of school operations. 
• Shared ownership. CLC is not any one person’s responsibility—it is everyone’s to share. 
• Dedicated resources. Dedicated resources— human, financial, and social capital—are needed to ensure success. 
• Self- and organizational assessment. We must take a look at ourselves and the schools and programs within which we work to know where we need to go in terms of CLC. Honest self- and organizational assessments are needed to chart our course for growth. 
• Meaningful partnership and collaboration with families, youth, and community members. We can’t achieve CLC implementation alone, nor should we try. Family, youth, and community partnerships and collaboration increase the likelihood of success. 
• Responsibility coupled with authority. Any lead person or entity engaged in CLC implementation must have not only the responsibility but also the authority—including budget authority—to implement the plan. 
• Accountability. The CLC effort must have built-in accountability with an action plan, identification of responsible parties, timelines, and performance measures to ensure that implementation is achieved as planned and in a quality manner. 
• Training and technical assistance. Annual training, continuing education, and technical assistance are necessary to educate staff at all levels about how they can each practice CLC within their respective roles.
• Supervision and coaching. Ongoing supervision and specific coaching on CLC implementation helps make it real and more easily integrated into an employee’s daily scope of work. 
• A CQI process designed to eliminate disparities. Gathering data and then using them to improve processes and products through a continual course correction process helps schools stay focused on ways that they can reduce disparities in their daily operations. 

As an SS/HS project director, you can assess the CLC within your project by asking yourself the following questions:

• What have you done to promote and infuse CLC throughout your sites? 
• What have been your outcomes? 
• What have been your challenges? 
• How have you met those challenges? 
• What technical assistance do you need? 
• What professional development do you personally need to become more culturally and linguistically competent? What does your staff need? 

Next steps

• Assess your staff’s current level of CLC through both organizational and self-assessments. 
• Conduct a community needs assessment. 
• Engage community members, families, and youth in a meaningful and collaborative dialogue around addressing the needs and challenges identified in the assessment. 
• With your team, family members, youth, and community stakeholders, develop a plan to address these needs. 
• Provide adequate funding and dedicated people who are accountable for its implementation. 
• Provide training, technical assistance, and coaching for your staff. 
• Enjoy your work together!