Leading the Future of Education: CIS Brings Powerful Stories and Policy Solutions to Capitol Hill

April 17, 2025 Advocacy Alumni Initiatives

Earlier this month, Communities In Schools® (CIS®) brought our collective voice to Capitol Hill for CIS Capitol Hill Day 2025. The advocacy event, held April 1-2, showcased how CIS is transforming education through relationships and results.

As the nation’s leading provider of integrated student supports, CIS National welcomed leaders from 19 states to Washington, D.C. to connect with lawmakers and spotlight the power of the CIS model in reshaping the future of education.

With 68 percent of Congress members new since our last Hill Day in 2018, this moment could not have been more timely or more critical.

Standing together on the U.S. Capitol steps, several leaders from across the Communities In Schools Network attended CIS Capitol Hill Day 2025 in Washington, D.C., to advocate for the future of education.

We believe that real policy change starts with proximity to the people it affects. Hill Day is a reflection of our belief that public education policy must be shaped by those closest to students, families, educators and community members. CIS is leading the way in ensuring federal policy reflects their needs.

-Joaquin Tamayo, Vice President of Policy, Communities In Schools National

In meetings and briefings, CIS leaders delivered a clear message: integrated student supports are a proven, cost-effective solution to educational inequity. We shared our national impact:

96 percent of seniors graduated or received a GED
$11 return on investment for every $1 spent
3.9 million empty seats due to chronic absenteeism; seats CIS can help fill

Learn more in our 2022-2023 data book →

Day One: Setting the Stage for Change

The day began with a Congressional Briefing, America's Education Breakthrough: How Integrated Student Supports Transform American Education and Drive Economic Success, hosted in partnership with City Connects at the U.S. Capitol.

It brought together a powerful mix of CIS alumni, policy experts, nonprofit leaders and lawmakers who called for deeper investment in student success.

Speakers included:

Congresswoman Susie Lee (D-NV-03), former CIS of Nevada President who shared personal reflections on CIS’ impact on her own life and community.
Cathy L. C. Justice, former First Lady of West Virginia and current West Virginia Board of Education member who was pivotal in expanding CIS to all 55 counties in the state. She is also credited for launching Friends with Paws, a therapy dog program (now active in 45 schools) aimed at improving student mental health and attendance.
Rey Saldaña, CIS National President and CEO, and Joan Wasser Gish, Director of Systemic Impact at the Mary E. Walsh Center for Thriving Children, who outlined the evidence behind integrated student supports.
Heather Clawson, CIS National Chief Program and Innovation Officer, and Eric Dearing, Executive Director of the Mary E. Walsh Center for Thriving Children, shared data and stories demonstrating the real-world impact of our work.

A dynamic panel titled Communities Transformed: The Ripple Effects of Integrated Student Supports closed out the briefing, featuring speakers:

Ramon Gallegos, Executive Underwriter, The Hartford and CIS InspireU Mentor
Rosaura Martinez, Project Manager, Project Surveillance and CIS of Houston Alumna
Rep. Robert Behning, Chair, Indiana House Committee on Education
Dr. Shawn Smith, Superintendent, Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township Indiana

During the Communities Transformed panel, CIS of Houston alumna Rosaura Martinez shared her CIS story to highlight the long-term impact of integrated student supports on student success. Fellow panelists included (L to R) Ramon Gallegos, Rep. Robert Behning and Dr. Shawn Smith.

“This [Communities In Schools] program is spectacular beyond belief… There has never been a program that I have ever seen work like this. This does so much for so many, it’s off the charts.” -Senator Jim Justice, Former Gov. of West Virgina

Listen to Sen. Jim Justice's CIS testimony →

Following the briefing, CIS leaders fanned out across the Hill to meet with members of Congress and their staff. These conversations centered around expanding integrated student supports funding and reinforcing support for Title I schools.

Among those advocating directly were CIS Founder Bill Milliken and Rey, who visited the offices of Sen. Cory Booker, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito and others.

Evening Reception: Shaping the Future of Education

Jerron Wheeler, CIS of Jacksonville Alumnus, and Rosaura Martinez, CIS of Houston Alumna, were present for student success at the evening reception. That evening, CIS hosted a special reception, Present for Student Success: Shaping the Future of Education, at 1010 Constitution Avenue with a breathtaking view of the Capitol. The event featured:

Welcoming remarks from Dr. Rustin Lewis, Executive Director of CIS of the Nation’s Capital, and Dr. Antoinette Mitchell, Acting State Superintendent of Education, Office of the State Superintendent of Education.
An engaging fireside chat on chronic absenteeism and education policy moderated by CIS of Jacksonville Alumnus Jerron Wheeler, featuring Rey and Dr. Robert Balfanz, Johns Hopkins University, and Lindsay Fryer, Lodestone DC.

Local matters more than ever. We're nationally relevant because we're scaled, but we're locally focused and locally led. And right now, being an advocate means not ignoring what can feel small but can have a huge impact on our students. Because what's powerful here in the halls of Congress is also powerful at state capitols and is also powerful at school board meetings. It’s about the testimony of real connections that people are making with caring adults and students that's changing their lives.

-Rey Saldaña, President and CEO, Communities In Schools National

Guests also enjoyed an interactive storytelling booth and networked with nonprofit leaders, government staff and members of the CIS network.

Day Two: Advocating with Purpose

The second day of Hill Day was dedicated to direct advocacy. CIS affiliate leaders met with congressional offices, armed with key messages, personal stories and data that highlight the urgent need for national investment in integrated student supports.

With chronic absenteeism on the rise and equity in education at stake, these conversations emphasized the role CIS plays in ensuring that every student, no matter their zip code, has the support they need to stay in school and succeed in life.

Moving Forward Together

Our advocacy didn’t end when Hill Day concluded. Just one week later, on April 9, Rey returned to Washington, D.C. to testify before the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education.

He delivered a powerful message about the transformative power of integrated student supports and the need for continued and expanded federal investment.

At a time when education funding is under greater scrutiny, Rey made a compelling case to decision-makers that integrated student supports delivers exceptional returns on investment both in taxpayer dollars and in student success.

Our work happens every single day inside classrooms, building relationships, but it's important that we are present in places like our nation's capitol, state houses, city halls, where the funding that comes together to sustain that site coordinator, transforming young lives, lifting barriers that stand in the way of their potential--it's important that we be present.

-Rey Saldaña, President and CEO, Communities In Schools National

Together we’re advocating for systems that center relationships. We’re scaling what works. And we’re continuing to lead the future of education, one student and one school at a time.

Learn more about our legislative priorities and how you can support CIS policy advocacy →