Communities In Schools and Volunteers of America North Louisiana celebrate long-standing partnership

Communities In Schools® (CIS®) has established successful licensed partnerships with state education agencies, school districts, and community-based organizations across the country, enhancing support systems for students. One notable partnership is with Volunteers of America North Louisiana (VOANLA) in Shreveport, La., which dates back to 2013 and remains CIS' longest-standing licensed partnership. 

The Community Foundation of North Louisiana sought to provide more equitable opportunities and resources for students in Shreveport. VOANLA already had a strong area presence through a youth program called Lighthouse, which connects kids to before- and after-school resources. However, the program staff recognized the need for in-school support during the day. VOANLA leadership, learning about the CIS model and its comprehensive wrap-around support, decided to collaborate with CIS to bring these integrated student supports to Shreveport. 

Paula Hickman, former Executive Director of the Community Foundation of North Louisiana, invited CIS Founder and Vice-Chairman Bill Milliken to Shreveport to give an overview of the CIS model to the organization and community.  

Communities In Schools was a great fit for a partnership.  

CIS’ three tiers incorporate community partnerships, and Volunteers of America North Louisiana has natural connections to the community that align with its goals for growth and impact district-wide. This partnership officially began in 2014 in Caddo Parish Public Schools, where three schools fully adopted the CIS model. This integration allowed site coordinators to become an essential part of the school campus, effectively embedding CIS staff within the administration. 

In 2018, the Community Foundation of Northern Louisiana committed to a $1.25 million dollar investment to expand VOANLA and CIS. This five-year expansion plan was developed to identify schools that could significantly benefit from the CIS model. The Community Foundation believed that investing in those schools would result in a transformation over five years.  

In 2018, Volunteers of America North Louisiana became the first certified licensed partner with Communities In School, setting a precedent and paving the way for other partnerships to develop in more states.   

The partnership between VOANLA, CIS, and Caddo Parish Public Schools has continued to thrive.  

In 2021, Caddo Parish Public Schools agreed to cover 50 percent of the partnership's funding, which includes 18 site coordinators, two lead site coordinators, and a program director across 14 school campuses. VOANLA also maintains strong partnerships with local churches, businesses, and community groups, bolstered by a network of dedicated volunteers. 

“Approximately 74% of Caddo Parish public school students live in poverty and students that come from low-income communities are more likely to repeat a grade or drop-out of school,” says Jenesis Gibson, LPC-S, Vice President of Children and Family Services at VOANLA     

It’s important that all students regardless of race, gender, and socioeconomic status have access to an equitable learning environment. This unique partnership with Communities In Schools allows us to increase our impact in our local community by removing barriers to learning and providing resources for all students to thrive in schools and succeed in life.

-Jenesis Gibson, LPC-S, Vice President of Children and Family Services at VOANLA

Over the past decade, countless success stories have emerged from VOANLA’s licensed partnership. By expanding CIS to more schools, site coordinators can extend their impact and support more students throughout Shreveport. 

One particularly memorable story involved VOANLA’s expansion to Woodlawn High School from 2019 to 2021. On the first day at Woodlawn, former CIS Site Coordinator Lauren Jackson was approached by a counselor about a female student recovering from COVID during her senior year. The student had lost her mother and sister to COVID and was now responsible for raising her two siblings and niece. 

Lauren and the CIS team immediately stepped in, helping this student cover funeral costs, pay bills, and secure rental assistance. Lauren called and checked in with the student daily, ensuring she and her siblings had transportation and childcare.  

“We really had to work on making sure she was taking care of herself,” recalls Lauren, who is now the Program Director. “We also emphasized to her that we want your siblings taken care of but if you’re not taking care of yourself, you’re not going to be able to provide for them in the future. Of course you’re tired, you’re going to miss the bus and we're not going to beat ourselves up about it or we’re not going to miss the whole day just because we’ve got a setback in the morning.”    

Despite her struggles, the student managed to pass all her classes, aided by a relative from Texas who moved in to help care for her younger siblings. 

Seeing her walk across the stage was one of the highlights of my life.

- Lauren Jackson, CIS Program Director

In 2023, VOANLA further invested in the CIS model by participating in the Scaling for Success cohort. With a $165 million investment from the Ballmer Group, the initiative aims to expand integrated student supports to 1,000 new majority low-income schools over the next five years. 

VOANLA has successfully implemented the CIS model at two expansion sites and one deepening site (investing in more staff and resources), serving over 1,100 students. Midway Elementary School, an expansion site, has seen significant success with Tier 1 events, supported by the school's principal. Family engagement events like the Back-to-School Bash and Christmas in the Courtyard have increased attendance at Woodlawn High School, a deepening site.  

VOANLA focuses on school-wide goals such as attendance and parent engagement. Attendance remains challenging, especially for elementary and middle school students whose parents face transportation issues. High school students often struggle with responsibilities like childcare or work, making it difficult to stay connected to school. 

“I consider what we do to kind of bring parents back into school, as helping and aiding in the positive climate and culture. Any opportunity that we can try to bring and engage the parents, we do try to make that a priority,” Jenesis Gibson, LPC-S, Vice President of Children and Family Services at VOANLA   

Site coordinators recognize the importance of parent engagement in reducing chronic absenteeism. Building relationships with parents through initiatives like Donuts with Dad or Muffins with Mom helps connect families with the school and support staff. 

During the 2022-2023 school year, VOANLA reached impressive milestones: 

• 5,477 students received supportive services, such as clothing, hygiene items, or food backpacks. 
• 714 students received intensive case management services. Of those: 
• 78 percent met or made progress on their behavior goals. 
• 93 percent met or made progress on their social-emotional learning goals. 
• 100 percent stayed in school. 

Volunteers of America North Louisiana and Communities In Schools celebrated 10 years of partnership at the end of the 2023-2024 school year. As the educational landscape evolves, VOANLA focuses on supporting students through school closures and consolidations by helping them navigate new school environments. 

VOANLA has supported the CIS model, collaborating with the Shreveport community to provide essential resources to students and families with fidelity and transparency. This partnership exemplifies how licensed partnerships can sustain and evolve over the years, allowing school districts the flexibility to expand efforts to the schools and communities that need it most.