New York State Education Department (NYSED)
Community Based Organization (CBO)
In lieu of actually visiting and observing for 10 hours in an actual CBO, you may choose a CBO from the NYSED Directory posted in The Virtual CBO Module.
The NYSED CBO Directory gives an overview of services the NYSED provides immigrant families and others, as well as listing around 100 agencies (grouped by type of CBO), along with much background information, as well as their links to where you could obtain more information that will facilitate your completing this study, all from the privacy of your home.
First thing you should do, is peruse the Directory and choose one CBO that interests you. Once you’ve identified a CBO, please complete the following parts which will culminate in your final CBO study.
I have also posted two sample Virtual CBO studies (in the Virtual CBO Study Module) that were done by former students; you may want to peruse these to get a feel for the study.
Part 1- Introduction
In this section, name and introduce the CBO you have selected. Provide description, location, services it provides. (You get this information from the NYSED Directory) and the CBO’s website from the link.
Part 2- Interviews
In this section you write the results from the interview you had with an administrator (and/or parent coordinator). Please use the questions posted in the CBO Virtual Study module. You will have to call the CBO and tell them you’re a CUNY, Lehman student and are doing this study as part of the course requirements and would like to interview an administrator to ascertain more information about the CBO. If they need verification that you’re a student at Lehman, use the Letter of Introduction in Course Documents Module (scan and email to them.)
You then either conduct the interviews through email (you could send the questions as attachment and they email back the answers) or by telephone.
If you can’t conduct the interview, then try and answer the interview questions by the information you gather from the Directory and the CBO’s site.
Part 3- Pictures and Brochures
In this section, please copy and paste pictures and brochures you find on the CBO’s site.
Part 4-Research
In this section you write about the demographics the CBO serves, schools in the area, resources for families and communities. (You gather this information from interviews and the CBO’s website).
Part 5-Conclusion
In this section you summarize the intent of the CBO, your thoughts on the importance of the CBO and any other “gleaming” aspects of the CBO that you learned.
Part 6- Letter to Parents
In this section, please write a letter informing parents of the CBO you chose and a quick recap of the services it provides. Of course, the letter is not mailed to anyone.
