CICommunities In Schools Of Texas Inc
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About Communities In Schools Of Texas Inc
For Texas students at risk of dropping out, support shows up where they already are, inside public schools. Communities In Schools of Texas places social workers and support staff on campus, then helps students and families connect to counseling, local resources, and other help they need to keep going. The result is practical, immediate support for students dealing with barriers like unmet basic needs, mental health challenges, and chronic absenteeism.
What sets Communities In Schools of Texas apart is how deeply it sits inside public schools. It is a statewide network of 27 local affiliates, with staff embedded on campuses so help can be matched to what a student actually needs, from case management to mental health services to community referrals.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Case management
Onsite social workers assess each student’s needs, build individualized support plans, and connect students and families with local resources.
Mental Health Support
Licensed clinical social workers provide one-on-one counseling inside schools and weekly counseling sessions for students who need mental health support.
Campus-based student support
The organization places embedded support staff within public schools to help students improve attendance, behavior, and academic outcomes.
About this work
Mission
The organization supports students at risk of dropping out by surrounding them with a community of support so they stay in school and achieve in life.
Who they serve
Texas public school students at risk of dropping out, including students and families facing barriers such as unmet basic needs, mental health challenges, and chronic absenteeism.
Their impact
- More than 122,000 Texas students receive individual case-managed services annually.
- More than 700,000 hours of school-based mental health services were provided in the 2023-2024 school year.
- Of the students worked directly with, 99% stayed in school, 98% were promoted to the next grade, 91% improved their academic measures, 76% improved their attendance, and 90% improved their behavior.
- Of the seniors case managed, 98% graduated.
How your donation helps
- Campus-based student support staff
- Individual case management plans
- One-on-one school-based counseling
- Basic needs such as food, shelter, housing, and clean clothes
- Community referrals and school-connected resources
Need help?
How someone in need can access Communities In Schools Of Texas Inc’s services.
Students are supported through participating public school campuses. Onsite CIS staff assess student needs, provide case management or counseling when appropriate, and connect students and families with community resources.
Stories
The people behind the work.
In their words
“CIS plays an integral part in helping children succeed. Their constant commitment in helping provide important wraparound services and support to struggling students greatly benefits our schools.”, Trisha Sheffield, former Lewisville ISD School Board President
“Communities In Schools is a vital component of our district and community. Having CIS in our schools has positively impacted our students’ academic performance and overall social and emotional well-being.”, HD Chambers, Superintendent of Alief ISD
“CIS ensures their students have access to the support they need to cope with mental health challenges and is a critical partner to student well-being in Texas.”, Andy Keller, PhD, President & CEO of Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute
In the news
Recent independent coverage of this organization.
- CIS of South Central Texas Communities in Schools’ mentoring program can have life-changing impact for Comal County students Read Articleherald-zeitung.comThe article describes Communities in Schools of South Central Texas’ mentoring program, including mentor/mentee activities and reported impacts for students in Comal County ISDs. It highlights a mentor celebration at Gruene United Methodist Church and quotes from the CEO and mentors about the program’s effect on students’ academics and attendance.
- From dance videos to funeral planning, Communities In Schools is helping Houston-area familieschron.comThe article describes how Communities In Schools (CIS) student support specialists are helping Houston-area students and families during campus closures, including weekly wellness calls, connecting families to resources, and supporting crisis needs. It also states CIS has helped create funeral arrangements and reports that CIS specialists were called to help more than 125,000 students during the 2019-20 school year across multiple Houston-area districts and colleges.
- Local Communities in Schools to receive $50,000 grantkdhnews.comThe Meadows Foundation is giving a $50,000 grant to Communities in Schools of Greater Central Texas to provide educational support to at-risk students and dependents of active-duty service members. The article says the payment is scheduled for May 15 and that the local board will discuss the grant at its meeting Tuesday.
- Communities In Schools assists Elgin, Bastrop studentselgincourier.com
- Communities in Schools still helping studentskens5.com
Grant support
$1,384,277 from 14 funders · through 2024 (IRS 990 records).
- BUENA VISTA FOUNDATION — $100,000 (2024)SUPPORT EDUCATION
- TAPESTRY FOUNDATION OF MARY CARMEL — $25,000 (2024)SURROUND STUDENTS WITH A COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT, EMPOWERING THEM TO STAY IN SCHOOL AND ACHIEVE IN LIFE.
- Norbert H Hardner Foundation — $25,000 (2024)Mental health services in public schools
- INMAN FOUNDATION — $1,000 (2024)DROPOUT PREVENTION PROGRAM
- BUENA VISTA FOUNDATION — $50,000 (2023)SUPPORT EDUCATION
- Norbert H Hardner Foundation — $35,000 (2023)Mental health services in Austin public schools
- HARRY E AND EDA L MONTANDON CHARITABLE TR — $30,000 (2023)Student and family assistance program and holiday assistance program to cover basic needs of low income families.
- THE COOPER MATTHEWS FOUNDATION — $10,000 (2023)OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Communities In Schools Of Texas Inc has shared.
Current needs
- Support for campus-based student support staff
- Support for school-based mental health services
- Funding for case management and community referrals
- Volunteer and advocacy support for students at risk of dropping out
Recognition & press
Awards & recognition
- Best Practices designation from the Texas Education Agency and Health and Human Services Commission for early mental health intervention practices
In the media
- Herald-Zeitung, Communities in Schools’ mentoring program can have life-changing impact for Comal County students
- Cross Timbers Gazette, Communities In Schools of North Texas celebrates 31 years of changing lives
- Star Local Media, CISNT helps local students stay on track for graduation
- Caller.com, What does Communities in Schools do for Corpus Christi ISD? See the numbers.
- KENS 5, Communities in Schools still helping students
- Houston Chronicle, From dance videos to funeral planning, Communities In Schools is helping Houston-area families
- Houston Public Media, Texas teachers overcome physical distance, digital divide to stay connected with students
- Express-News, USAA awards $1M grant to Communities in Schools of San Antonio
Press & mentions
Partners & funders
In the news
Articles featuring Communities In Schools Of Texas Inc from the Love What You Fund newsroom.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
How does CIS support students in school?
It places onsite social workers and support staff in public schools, where they can assess what a student needs, connect families with local resources, and step in with case management or counseling when that’s the right fit.
What kinds of needs can CIS help with?
CIS can connect students with counseling services, health and dental screenings, food, shelter, gang intervention and prevention, and other community resources.
How does the mental health support program work?
Licensed clinical social workers provide one-on-one counseling on school campuses, which helps remove transportation and cost barriers for students who need support.
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