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Communities In Schools Program
Communities In Schools of Houston provides student support specialists to work with students and their families within the campus community.
We provide or coordinate support services for students living in situations that place them at risk and/or have difficulty navigating the academic and non-academic barriers to stay on the path to graduation.In addition, we engage community partners and volunteers to effectively and efficiently address both the academic and non-academic needs of students.CIS Student Support Specialists deliver Integrated Student Supports on the school campus in three tiers:
TIER 1: SCHOOL-WIDE SERVICES
Coordinating campus-wide events for students and families.
Ex: Career Day, Health Fair
TIER 2: TARGETED PROGRAMS
Providing small group sessions/clubs on campus that serve a specific purpose.
Ex: Healthy Relationships Girls Group, Anger Management Group
TIER 3: INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORT
Providing case management to targeted students.
Ex: Counseling Services, Basic Needs Provision
Within each of these tiers CIS Student Support Specialists provide our Six Core Services:
1. SUPPORTIVE GUIDANCE & COUNSELING
Providing students with individual supportive guidance and counseling and facilitating support groups to help them manage their emotions and interactions with peers; addressing issues such as grief and loss, depression, low self-esteem, anger management, anxiety, and suspected drug/alcohol use.
2. ACADEMIC SUPPORT
Providing tutoring sessions for students requiring personalized attention in test-taking, study skills, or specific subject areas.
3. HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Linking students via referrals to local service agencies to meet basic needs involving food, clothing, housing, transportation, employment, rent and utility assistance, as well as referrals for crisis intervention, medical, dental, and mental health issues.
4. COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS
Building students’ skills to prepare them for post-secondary education and careers beyond high school by providing workshops on essay-writing, college applications, resume-building, job applications, successful interviewing and hosting college tours & career days.
5. PARENT & FAMILY ENGAGEMENT
Providing parent workshops to engage parents and coordinate volunteer opportunities for parents at the school to involve the family in their child’s education.
6. ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES
Organizing field trips for students to visit local museums, cultural events, and college campuses, as well as planning large group events such as guest speaker presentations and health fairs.