ABOUT US
We are the Indiana affiliate of a nationwide network of passionate professionals working in public schools to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.
Our Story
Over the past 40 years, our school-based staff have collaborated with school leaders, teachers, and community providers to identify challenges students face in class or at home and coordinate community services to bring support and resources into schools and students’ homes. From immediate needs such as food and clothing to more complex ones such as life skills coaching, we do whatever it takes to help students succeed. Our mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.
The work of Communities In Schools began with the founder’s idea of bringing community resources inside public schools – where our work is accessible to those who need them, coordinated in a centralized manner, and accountable to making an impact in schools. Throughout the years, our evidence-based approach, adapted to meet each community’s unique needs, is the basis for our success.
Communities In Schools of Indiana began in 2001 where the former executive director also founded CIS of Wayne County. The former executive director saw the need for a CIS state office and to expand the work of CIS across the state. CIS of Indiana began in 2014 with three schools in the Metropolitan School District of Decatur Township. We currently serve over 13,000 students throughout the state and provide intensive one-on-one support to over 1,200 students in 30 schools.
Communities In Schools of Indiana is part of a network working in 2,300 schools and 23 states across the nation. Communities In Schools builds relationships in schools and communities through an evidence-based program model.
OUR LEADERSHIP
Communities In Schools is guided by a talented, committed and diverse group of business leaders, educators, philanthropists and nonprofit executives. Get to know our team.
OUR ROLE LOCALLY
The Communities In Schools State Office provides leadership, strategic direction, operational support, and critical resources to the CIS Indiana network to ensure its organizational and programmatic effectiveness and to maximize its impact in meeting the needs of Indiana’s highest-need students and families.
OUR WORK
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.
SUCCESS STORIES
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.