Communities in schools: CIS of Cumberland County programs in North Carolina help kids expand and excel
By Diana Hansen, posted Mar 30, 2023 on BizFayetteville.com
“Communities in Schools (CIS) in North Carolina is over 40 years old with a presence in Cumberland County since 1992,” stated President and CEO of CIS of North Carolina Jill Cox.“ The program creates ‘lights of opportunity to shine’” and “I have the best job in the entire world.”
CIS works in five different schools in Cumberland County; with several more schools showing ongoing interest in the program. Cox notes, “The program’s main theme is, ‘if you can see it, you can be it.’ CIS disrupts cyclical poverty and shows students new possibilities, like a tour of community colleges.”
CIS supports kids with trauma, bullies, learning disabilities and more, offering strong collaboration with the school district. “Schools experience understaffing with social workers, nurses and counselors. CIS steps in to assist schools with their support staff to change and rewrite the futures of these students,” said Cox.
By connecting with students and showing them positive examples, like bringing business leaders into the classroom to show the results a quality education provides, students embark on a world of exploration and see what opportunity exists.
According to Cox, kids feel less stress, anxiety, worry and, when unburdened, engage more fully when someone takes time to show them gifts and abilities they possess.
“Many of these older kids might go work a job in the very early morning before school and help with younger siblings, too, especially when parents must work multiple jobs as inflation and cost of goods increases. Nobody really knows or sees the responsibilities on their shoulders,” said Cox. “Focusing on a smaller group of kids helps the program leverage so at the time these kids sit down in school they are present and focused on learning rather than the subconscious worry and anxiety about all the other issues in their lives.”
These include concerns like what they face when they get home, will there be enough food and related thoughts that run through their minds. The program helps meet alternative needs by providing food to students, and providing compassion and support for traumatic in-home issues and experiences, such as parental loss and other distress.
Cox believes every parent wants the best for their child, but perhaps has no view of what that can be in their own understanding or place in the world. Parents possibly feel unwelcome at school and work schedules prohibit contributions and discussions during their workday. CIS provides conduit to homes and increases parent engagement and pathways to school to assist with interruption of the poverty cycle. This proactive stance by CIS helps kids see their resilience shine through and allows them to flourish.
CIS creates a “bridges across tracks support system for skill building workshops,” according to Cox. Through testing, parents learn how to support their child.
The Communities in Schools “By the Outcomes” data shows the program results in four schools served by CISNC in Cumberland County.
- Between 2021 and 2022, CIS provided 1,328 students support and resources.
203 parents and families were engaged through CIS.
165 students received targeted/intensive support.
97 percent of K -11 students were promoted to the next grade.
The graduation rate for seniors was 100 percent.
98 percent of students met/progressed toward attendance and behavior goals.
86 percent of students showed progression toward academic goals.
Outcome data is independently verified by RTI International to ensure programs accurately meet goals.
One student recommended into the program, Javayah, a Southview High School student, joined and now shines as an excellent student. She and a group of students took a trip to Washington D.C, during which she experienced her first plane ride, met with legislators on The Hill and, in her insistent style, caught their attention and told them her story. Although she felt hesitant to take the plane back home, she boarded, with a boost to her self-confidence and a newfound empowerment thanks to CIS’ focus on experiential learning that removes students from classrooms to real life, hands on, out in the world encounters.
CIS has an upcoming “All in for Kids – Adults Only Comedy Night” on April 1, 2023, at Segra Stadium at 7:30 p.m. North Carolina’s Funniest Person, J Bliss, winner of the “Fan Favorite” award, is scheduled to perform. Hosted by Tameka Bright of 104.5 FM, this event is for ages 21 and up. Tickets are $50. CIS invites you to join in for lots of laughs while supporting students and families across Cumberland County!
Kids with strong foundations contribute now as they recognize their special talents and later, the community experiences a wonderful reinvestment when students today reach future goals and reward the community with their unique contributions.
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You can find more information on CIS of Cumberland County and how “lights of opportunity to shine'' creates a whole new world at: www.cisnc.org.
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