Communities In Schools

CIS uses a holistic approach to effectively meet the needs of students. CIS coordinates with social-service providers, public and private agencies, career and college counselors, health professionals, drug education specialists, and other service providers to meet each student’s needs.

Committed volunteers serve as tutors, mentors, and role models, and help students explore vocational possibilities. Local businesses encourage employee involvement, provide funding, and make in-kind donations to the program. CIS relies on principals, teachers, counselors, school nurses, judges, parents, and students themselves to identify and refer young people to the program.

With strong and broad-based community support and an invitation from local school districts to serve their campuses, community action groups form independent, non-profit corporations and establish local CIS programs with the assistance and support of CIS of Texas. Local CIS boards of directors, composed of public and private sector representatives, provide leadership, experience, and public visibility.

Local CIS programs provide tutoring, supportive guidance, career education, college awareness, self esteem, after-school activities,drug prevention activities, services to teen parents, gang and youth violence prevention activities, career assistance, and work experience opportunities. Many offer programs on peer pressure, self-esteem, anger management, health, hygiene, and decision-making. To encourage and increase parental involvement, CIS sponsors parenting classes, makes home visits, and conducts parent/student activities.

The mission of Communities In Schools of Texas is to help young help of Texas stay in school, successfully learn, and prepare for life by coordinating the connection of needed community resources in the school setting.

In order to accomplish the CIS mission, the CIS Model embodies the following beliefs, concepts, and strategies:

• CIS strives to improve attendance, academic performance, behavior, and the Texas dropout rate.
• CIS works with students addressing all issues that might prohibit them from staying in school.
• CIS is a year-round, in-school program that uses a multidisciplinary case management approach to help students.
• CIS involves the community by coordinating resources to offer support and guidance to students and their families through a locally directed 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation.
• CIS builds and maintains partnerships with private businesses, government agencies, community-based organizations, and public schools to deliver needed services.
• CIS strives for a sound and comprehensive program at the state and local levels.
• CIS coordinates with the community to provide activities such as community service, academic assistance, parent and family events, life skills training, mentoring programs, job shadowing, and employment opportunities.
• CIS assesses each campus in order to determine what services are necessary to meet the needs of the students.
• CIS develops and implements a six-component service delivery plan for each campus.
• CIS ensures that all students receive the Five CIS Basics.
• CIS strives to expand services across the state.
• CIS believes in establishing and maintaining strong funding bases needed to support stable and continuing local programs.
• CIS supports teachers, schools, and communities at large.
• CIS helps prevent duplication of services by creating partnerships and collaborations with the schools, social-service agencies, and the community.
• CIS cuts across institutional lines to provide services and needed support to students and families.
• CIS addresses student issues and needs so that teachers are free to teach.
• CIS helps kids prepare for life.

CIS believes that every student needs and deserves the following to be successful:

• A personal, one-on-one relationship with a caring adult
• A safe place to learn and grow
• A healthy start and a healthy future
• A marketable skill to use upon graduation
• A chance to give back to peers and community

CIS of Texas has identified six core components as the framework of services provided at each campuses served.

These components are:

• Supportive Guidance and Counseling
• Health and Human Services
• Parent and Family Engagement
• College and Career Readiness
• Enrichment Activities
• Academic Support