OUR WORK
Our evidence-based approach, adapted to meet each community’s unique needs, is the basis for our success. Many children face challenges both inside and outside the classroom. Through a school-based site coordinator, Communities In Schools strategically aligns and delivers needed resources so that students can focus on learning.
Learn More About How We Work in Schools
Communities In Schools surrounds students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. Our evidence-based approach, adapted to meet each community’s unique needs, is the basis for our success.
Across the country, approximately 1 in 5 children under 18 live in poverty. Without community support, they are more at risk for missing school, dropping out, and failing to earn a high school diploma. They may lack the readiness needed for more advanced, professional positions required in a 21st century workforce.
Communities In Schools removes barriers students face so they can succeed in school and life.
The Work of Communities In Schools of Indiana
CIS of Indiana works throughout the state of Indiana to build strong relationships with the students who need us most, school districts, and community organizations through an evidence-based model.
Through our work, we surround schools and students with support, developing positive school and student outcomes. The CIS model encompasses the entire school as well as individual students. Its components include: identifying and assessing needs; developing goals and action plans; identifying community resources and services to meet goals; providing intensive student support; and evaluating progress toward goal plans.
Program Effectiveness
In the 2022-2023 school year, Communities In Schools of Indiana achieved the following outcomes for our case-managed students:
- 100 percent of high school seniors earned their diploma
- 100 percent of K-11 students were promoted to the next grade level
- 86 percent of our students met or progressed toward behavioral goals
- 76 percent of our students met or progressed toward attendance goals
- 83 percent of our students met or progressed toward academic goals
Communities In Schools Support in COVID-19 Health Crisis
In the face of this crisis, CIS continues to go beyond school walls, working at the ground level to meet students where they are to ensure that their basic and educational needs don’t go unmet. Since the pandemic, CIS site coordinators have doubled their responsibilities to ensure student needs are met, including: increased home visits, home food deliveries, and overseeing food pantries. Staff also coordinate socially distanced small groups to assist students in coping with social wellness challenges.
Jade's Story
With the support of CIS, our students stay in school, graduate and go on to bright futures. They all have a story about their journey to who they are today.