The UFT’s Community Learning Schools Initiative received a welcome $700,000 grant on Sept. 25 from the New York State Senate that will help fund 16 community schools this year.

At an upbeat press conference in front of PS 83 in the Bronx where the union accepted a large, replica check, UFT President Michael Mulgrew thanked State Senate Majority Leader Jeffrey Klein, who spearheaded the Senate effort to secure the grant in the state’s 2013-14 budget. It will go to support each community school’s chosen services such as health care providers, after-school programs, college and career counseling, cultural programs or parent programming.

“The way to make an impact on students’ lives is to put the services that can make a difference — things like health and dental care, social services, support for families — in city schools,” Mulgrew said. “This is the way to really help children.”

PS 83 is one of 10 new community schools added this year.

The Community Learning Schools Initiative is a nonprofit venture of the union, designed to help schools get the extensive support they need by redirecting existing services into the school building. The common-sense approach has captured the attention of legislators, who have helped to support the efforts.

“As elected officials, we have a duty to ensure our children are receiving a first-rate education,” Sen. Klein said. “Community Learning Schools take this one step further, by providing schools with the resources they need to help students and their families meet the tough challenges outside the classroom.”

Several of the community schools have also applied for a share of a new $15 million in this year’s state budget, a result of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s interest in community schools. They expect to hear by the end of this calendar year.