Program areas at Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo
Integrated student services - the organization connects community resources to Schools to address the assessed needs of students using the national Communities in Schools integrated student services model. This approach has been independently evaluated and demonstrated a positive impact on 4th and 8th grade reading and math scores, drop-out rates and graduation rates. The long-term goal is for students to graduate from high school, college- ready, and able to use the Kalamazoo promise. Intermediate goals are to help students become proficient in reading, writing, math, attendance, and behavior. Resources and services are grouped in two broad areas: learning readiness (health, mental health, physical needs, and attendance support) and learning support (tutoring, classroom assistance, homework help, and enrichment). The organization had site coordinators and/or after-school coordinators in twenty-two buildings.
Health - cis health initiatives address physical, mental and social emotional health. in 2022-23 cis continued to coordinate services with community partners that lead to the following services being provided: 26 students received vision assistance; 200 students received mental health service; food packs distributed during school totalled 11,662; five full service and three partial service school based pantries provided assistance on 13,813 occasions; and 13,550 basic need items were distributed.
Mentoring/tutoring - cis recruits, screens, and connects volunteers from the community to students who can benefit from a positive one-on-one relationship with an adult and/or additional academic assistance. Over 400 volunteers from the faith community, local colleges/universities, community businesses, city government, and the general community provided over 11,256 hours of service in 2022-23.
Scholarships and grant making - through cis, students who graduate from high school have opportunities to qualify for and receive scholarships through various endowed funds held at the Kalamazoo community foundation. Cis provides assistance to students applying for scholarships and oversees various advisory committees involved in selecting scholarship recipients.