Communities in Schools of the South Plains, A Community Partner Since 2008

CELEBRATING COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS ON THE SOUTH PLAINS


In-School Prevention and Intervention

CIS Community Partner GiftCommunities in Schools (CIS) became a Community Partner in 2008 when we partnered with the organization to fund their In-School Prevention and Intervention program. The program works with students in Lubbock and the surrounding school districts to help students successfully learn and prepare for life. CIS site coordinators don't just visit schools every so often. They actually office out of the school building so they are available to students at all times.

Coordinators connect students to community resources, building a bridge between at-risk students and available support. This can include anything from tutoring to counseling to meeting basic needs. CIS site coordinators go the extra mile to ensure any and every student in need is empowered to stay in school, graduate, and go on to a great future.

The Texas Education Agency focuses state and federal resources on identifying and replicating proven strategies for dropout prevention and recovery. Research indicates that providing mentors or adult advocates for students at-risk of dropping out of school is an effective dropout prevention strategy to help students address learning, social, and emotional needs that are barriers to academic achievement. This is one of the proven strategies used in the CIS program. CIS also provides targeted academic support to address skill gaps and enrich the learning environment for students who are off-track and struggling.

A History of Helping Students Succeed

Founder Bill Milliken began CIS in New York City in the 1970’s. He came up with the idea of bringing community resources inside public schools where they are accessible, coordinated, and accountable. “It’s relationships, not programs, that change children,” Bill once said. “A great program simply creates the environment for healthy relationships to form between adults and children. Young people thrive when adults care about them on a one-to-one level, and when they also have a sense of belonging to a caring community.” 

The Communities in Schools model first came to Lubbock in 1999. Since that time, Communities in Schools of the South Plains has grown to serve 14 school districts and 46 campuses in Lubbock and the surrounding communities. Check out the full list of school districts and campuses served on their website: http://www.cissouthplains.org/our-schools

Communities in Schools Today

In 2019, CIS served 2,464 students across their campuses. Since they got their start in 1999, they have supported more than 26,000 students.

During the pandemic, they were a critical resource to the campuses and school districts. Site coordinators helped with meal delivery, set-up technology for students to learn at home, and did everything they could to encourage students, their families, and educators. 

Learn more about CIS and its mission at http://www.cissouthplains.org/