How Communities In Schools Works
Communities In Schools helps students stay in school and make right choices by connecting schools with needed community resources. By bringing resources, services, parents, and volunteers into schools, we create a community of caring adults who work hand in hand with educators.
Communities In Schools helps communities assess the needs of their youth. We then design plans for meeting those needs, using existing resources. We connect young people with services in a variety of ways: In some schools, services are made available to all students and their families.
In other schools, Communities In Schools connects services with particular students in need, either on a one-time basis or as part of a carefully monitored case management system. Communities In Schools also brings community resources to students and families through after-school programs. We accomplish these tasks by bringing the "Five Basics" into the school.
The "Five Basics"
We believe every child needs and deserves the "Five Basics". Here's how Communities In Schools brings the "Five Basics" into the school ...
1. A one-on-one relationship with a caring adult
Mentors, Tutors and Parental Involvement Programs.
- Mentors from organizations like the National Mentoring Partnership and Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and from concerned local businesses, volunteer groups and religious institutions.
- Tutors from businesses and accredited groups like America Reads and from nearby colleges and universities.
- Parental Involvement Programs that link parents to the school as full partners, teaching child-rearing skills, and encouraging adults to complete their education along with their children.
2. A safe place to learn and grow
After-School and Extended-Hours Programs.
- After-School and Extended-Hours Programs like the Communities In Schools partnership with Boys and Girls Clubs that transform the school into a safe place for children and families after school and on weekends, with offerings such as computer classes, music and dance activities, and tutoring and help with homework.
- Violence Prevention and Gang Prevention Programs to teach conflict resolution, peer mediation and anger management skills.
- Community Policing Initiatives that build friendships with kids and teach them how to avoid trouble.
3. A healthy start and a healthy future
Mental Health Counseling, Family Strengthening Initiatives, Drug and Alcohol Education, Physical and Dental Exams, Eye Care and Immunizations, Help for Teen Parents.
- Mental Health Counseling that places county, municipal and private mental health specialists directly in the school.
- Family Strengthening Initiatives such as the nationally acclaimed Families and Schools Together (FAST) program, helping children and families stay resilient.
- Drug and Alcohol Education with a proven track record, involving national and local programs.
- Physical and Dental Exams, Eye Care and Immunizations from volunteer doctors, nurses, dentists, dental hygienists and optometrists in private practice, from the Vision Service Plan's "Sight for Students," and from county and municipal hospitals.
- Help for Teen Parents so young parents and their children have a healthy start, providing access to day-care facilities, pediatricians and visiting nurses.
4. A marketable skill to use upon graduation
Technology Training for the Future, Career Counseling and Employment Skills, College Preparation and Scholarship Opportunities.
- Technology Training for the Future at the Communities In Schools/Communities In Schoolsco Networking Academy Program, a nationwide Communities In Schools partnership that teaches young people to design, build and maintain computer networks.
- Career Counseling and Employment Skills taught by workforce specialists and by business volunteers who provide career mentoring, job "shadowing," part-time and summer jobs, and a hands-on introduction to the world of work. Communities In Schools partners include Morgan Stanley, HOSTS, First Union, Time Warner and many others.
- College Preparation and Scholarship Opportunities through initiatives like ThinkCOLLEGETM and partnerships with state university systems, helping graduates advance to higher education and successful careers.
5. A chance to give back to peers and community
Community Service Opportunities, Junior ROTC Programs.
- Community Service Opportunities that include such key Communities In Schools partners as Youth Service America and the Corporation for National Service to work with the elderly, sponsor neighborhood clean-ups, participate in food and clothing drives, and share what they’ve learned with younger children.
- Junior ROTC Programs growing out of Communities In Schools' national partnership with the Department of Defense, teaching citizenship and building character and values.
