Lives that have been touched by CIS...

Parents:

“From my own personal experience, CIS has been a Godsend. Both of my children have benefited from the counseling services. My daughter is now in 4th grade and has absolutely blossomed in the past year (largely due to the Communities in Schools program at her school). As a family, we have had some pretty large hurdles, and the service has been such a help. Living in a state that is ranked 49th in mental health care has been very difficult. My oldest child has a long list of diagnoses and finding help for him with a limited income has been very hard if not impossible at times. Communities in Schools gave my daughter someone to talk to about her brother, a third party if you will. They could confirm that it was okay for her to have all the anger, confusion, or whatever the current feelings were.” ~ Parent, 2008

“If accepted, this will be my son’s 4th year with the CIS program. He loves being part of the program. We love the positive attitude that comes from your program. I know we as parents are our child’s first role model, but when he’s at school, you are a great role model for him. Thanks for all of the advocating that you do for us with documentation, salaries, time, etc., so that we can try to still have the important time that we need to provide the important services directly to our kiddos! I know that with each year it seems that more and more time is taken away from the “direct” service time we have with our kids, but I know that you are all doing a great job speaking up for us and really trying to help us with the documentation blaghs! Many thanks.” ~ Parent, 2006

Partner Organizations:

“To strengthen the vital connection between Texas schools and the communities they serve, the Texas Association of Business has endorsed the Communities in Schools state program. In Texas, CIS operates 26 local programs across the state, provides services in more than 600 schools in 100 school districts, and serves over 1.4 million students, 75,974 of which received individual case management. By the end of the 2005-2006 school year, CIS reported that 97% of those students successfully completed the year. CIS is of interest to Texas businesses for two reasons. First, the program fosters community development by working with at-risk school children to provide them the tools that will keep them off the streets and in the classroom. Secondly, CIS strives to help its students gain “a marketable skill” that can be put to use in the workforce. TAB is proud to endorse this program, and did so at the TAB Annual Meeting held in Austin on January 24th, in our quest to make the Texas business climate the best in the world.” ~ Bill Hammond, President, Texas Association of Business, 2008

“As a Nurse Case Manager, I have experienced the value of Communities in Schools as an excellent resource for the children of Memorial Elementary School. Having called on Heather Norris LBSW for information and assistance regarding some of the students that have been hospitalized at our facility has proven to be invaluable, thus allowing us to better manage these pediatric patients without duplicating resources, and utilizing what is available to both of us to improve patient outcomes. It is my hope that this program continues, as it is proving to be a great asset to the New Braunfels community and its youth.” ~ Teresa Thornhill, RN, Case Manager, Christus Santa Rosa New Braunfels, 2008

Professional Educators:

“The needs of our children go far beyond the students themselves. The entire family is often in a time of crisis. The resources that our CIS director has been able to provide our families are priceless…So many of our families have benefited from services provided by CIS. The benefits provide more stability within the home. This continuity spreads throughout the family and the student can feel secure. Instead of worrying where the next meal will come from, trying to deal with the pain of an infected tooth, getting relief from an ear infection, or wondering how they will stay warm because they have no coat, the student is able to focus on the academic part of their life. All of these issues have been taken care of through the Communities in Schools program…This group of dedicated individuals has made a huge impact that has bettered the lives of so many children.” ~ Nancy Walden, Counselor, Carl Schurz Elementary, 2008

“Having been a school nurse for 12 years at 2 elementary campuses, I’ve had the opportunity to work with several project directors. Each of them has had a true concern for the well-being of students and their families. Much of the support I receive as a school nurse is directly related to identifying resources in the community. An example of this occurred just last week. I had a student who needed a physician evaluation for an ear infection. The family’s physician had recently left town, and Medicaid was unable to assign her another physician in New Braunfels. The CIS campus project director was able to assist the student’s mother in locating a physician in Seguin, and the student received medical care that afternoon. Without assistance from CIS, the student’s mother would not have had the resources for her child. At the campus level, I firmly believe that our students benefit in many ways. Social lunch groups, counseling support, clubs and committees help each student to succeed. CIS supports the family by finding community resources and supports campus staff with help in the classroom. Our school health program is effective because of the teamwork between our nurses and CIS project directors. I feel our district is very fortunate to have this fine program.” ~ Karen Schwind, RN BSN, New Braunfels ISD Health Services Coordinator, Carl Schurz Elementary School Nurse, 2008

“CIS is the most important tool schools have in turning despair into hope and failure into success within a child, and thus, giving back to the community a successful, productive graduate rather than a drop out government dependent. It is the knot that ties all those lose threads together in an otherwise at-risk student’s life.” ~ Judy Hankins, 2006

“CIS provides a place of acceptance and stability for students struggling with external situations beyond their control. Our CIS representative is a “safe harbor” for us to send students who need a little more support in order to be successful academically. In a world that sometimes feels like sinking sand, many kids discover some solid ground to push off from the help of CIS.” ~ Karen Blevins, Spring Branch Middle School, 2006

“To help a child learn and grow into a healthy adult, we have to realize that details matter. Where the traditional school cannot reach into the home to assist with insurance, or transport to medical appointments, or refer to community organizations for clothing, mental health, or food, CIS can—and does. CIS fills in all the gaps that exist in a child’s life and in doing so, does more than help lift a child to academic success: CIS communicates ‘You are worthy. You are loved. You are important.’ Our school is a significantly better place because of CIS!” ~ JoBeth Jimerson, Bill Brown Elementary, 2006

“As a classroom teacher, I have seen the difference CIS can make in a student’s life. The students in CIS need a little extra one-on-one attention, and they get that through CIS. With a little help, these students have made great strides with their attitudes and school work. There is one young man in particular who came into school very angry. He almost got into two fights in my room. CIS has helped him to the point where he is one of my best students. His outlook on life has improved, and his schoolwork is out of this world. I deeply appreciate the work CIS does on our campus!” ~ Sean Stockwell, Comal ISD, 2006

“I have several first grade students in my classroom that receive assistance from CIS. Each student has shown a sense of pride and confidence as a result of the program. Many of the students are not able to provide their own school supplies and are so proud of what they have received from CIS. Many are in the program because they do not always receive the attention they deserve from home. Someone taking an interest in these students, spending time with them, listening to them, and helping them complete unfinished homework is priceless.” ~ GeorgeAnn Stoore, Rahe Bulverde Elementary, 2006