Causes: Education, Educational Services, Elementary & Secondary Schools, Literacy

Mission: The mission of Communities In Schools is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.

Results: Our Results in 2009-2010:
•50% of schools CIS served improved their attendance rates or maintained state standard attendance (All elementary schools exceeded the 93% standard)
•88% of targeted students decreased their out of school suspensions or had no out of school suspensions
•88% of targeted students decreased their behavioral incidents
•53% of targeted students decreased their unexcused absences or had no unexcused absences
•88% of students reported that they feel better about themselves and their future after receiving services from CISAccomplishments for the 2009-2010 school year:
•CIS staff brokered over $450,000 in donations to schools served including 375 backpacks, an ongoing donation of bread from Panera, books and other educational material from Highlights, gym equipment for a high school, holiday help, etc
•CIS provided direct service to 1,416 students and their families. These services include: short term counseling, group interventions, referrals to community resources, crisis intervention, mentoring etc
•CIS provided services to schools which serve 8,722 students. Whole school services include: speakers for assemblies, facilitating community resources fairs, incentives, etc
•CIS worked with 167 community organizations and businesses to link services directly into the schools
•CIS staff provided over 350 home visits
•CIS staff provided 475,000 direct service hours to students and their families
•100% of principals of the schools served requested that the SRC continue to provide services for the 2010-2011 school year
•CIS provided 920 students with afterschool activities and/or summer activities
•CIS engaged 875 parents in activities at their child’s school
•CIS provided 122 minority males with leadership activities
•CIS provided 367 families (899 children) with homelessness prevention services.

Target demographics: CIS staff work with students (K-12) and families in the Columbus and Whitehall CIty School districts, plus the Catholic Diocese, to increase the graduation rate. We are in schools that are low income and have academic challenges. A picture of the schools Communities In Schools of Central Ohio serves:
•12% are in academic emergency
•47% are in academic watch
•29% are in continuous improvement
•12% are effective
•An average of 87.3% of students receive free and reduced lunch
•An average of 17% of students are Limited English proficient
•An average of 15.3% of students have learning disabilities
•An average 69% graduation rate

Direct beneficiaries per year: Direct services to 1,416 students and their families

Geographic areas served: Columbus and Whitehall City Schools, plus Columbus Catholic schools

Programs: E. L. I. T. E. (Exceptional Leaders Inspired Through Excellence) - leadership program for minority youth in grades 4-6.After-school programs in Columbus, Whitehall and the Catholic Diocese -- elementary, middle and high school. Stable Families Program -- helps families stay stable in their housing so kids do not have to move from their schools. School Resource Coordinators -- staff assigned to 2 schools each to connect students and families to social services.