Practice Report

Supporting California’s Children Through a Whole Child Approach

April 2022 | Breaking Barriers, California Alliance of Child and Family Services, Santa Clara County Office of Education, and WestEd

This report from WestEd details a vision of an effective, integrated, comprehensive, school-based child-serving system. Building on evidence from the pandemic, the guide includes a set of resources and research to support California’s transition to an integrated funding system of support for students. The guide is based on the whole child approach, which includes key elements such as positive developmental relationships; environments filled with safety and belonging; rich learning experiences and knowledge development; development of skills, habits, and mindsets; and integrated support systems. Ultimately, it offers California-based research, guidance, and resources aligned with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Whole School, School Community, Whole Child Model, which encourages communities to work across multiple sectors, with families, and within communities to support students’ health, learning, and development.