CIS is not a single program…it is a process. CIS helps school staff, parents, and community members assess the needs of the children in their community and design plans for meeting those needs. Each school that partners with CIS can choose from a variety of service strategies to accomplish its goals. These include…

• Parent Involvement
  Educators agree that students achieve more when their parents get involved. CIS works with school staff to initiate or energize parent activities, such as parenting skills training, family fun nights, health fairs, or PTA meetings.
• Service Partnerships
  CIS recruits service partners from many sectors of the community to bring needed services to schools, such as mentors, tutors, health services, technology training, field trips, or enrichment activities. CIS identifies the partners, coordinates the delivery of services, and follows up to determine results.
• Performance Learning Centers
  A Performance Learning Center (PLC) is a nontraditional school designed for students who are not successful in a traditional setting. At a PLC, students work at their own pace using an online, computer-based curriculum. PLC staff offers opportunities for professional training, community engagement and post-graduation preparation.
• Incentive Programs
  CIS solicits donations of products for use in school programs that reward, motivate and honor students, staff, volunteers, and parents. Donated products may include books, event tickets, gift cards for meals or entertainment, school supplies, or computers.
• Family Support
  A single crisis in a student's life -- a house fire or eviction, a parents' illness or incarceration -- may negatively impact that child's success in school for years to come. A CIS coordinator helps school staff identify students and families who are struggling, provides counseling and links to agency resources, and follows up to ensure that the student gets back on track academically.
• Case Management
  Many schools have a small number of students who rarely attend school, are disruptive, have social needs, or fail to pass courses. A CIS coordinator provides positive interventions that include an ongoing, one-on-one relationship with the student, linkages to needed services, and regular monitoring of students' progress.
• Building Young Leaders
  CIS works with small groups of students who meet on a regular basis to learn goal setting, conflict resolution, teamwork, community service or other life skills. The goal is to help young people transform themselves from potential dropouts to potential leaders.
• Career and College Preparation
  CIS introduces students to various career options through career day speakers, job shadowing, internships, and college tours.