Links To Success

Links to Success is a Trident United Way (TUW) collaboration in which CIS staff serves as Integrated Services Providers, coordinating the services of Linking Partners funded by the TUW. Linking partners include the following:

Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Wings for Kids, Lowcountry Foodbank, Lowcountry Earth Force, SC Maritime Foundation, Dee Norton Lowcountry Children’s Center, Department of Mental Health, Tricounty Family Ministries, East Cooper Community Outreach, Family Services, Inc., Adult Education, and Increasing H.O.P.E.

The Links To Success sites for the 2011-2012 school year include St. Stephen Elementary School, St. Stephen Middle School, Edith L. Frierson Elementary School, Memminger Elementary School, North Charleston Elementary School and Haut Gap Magnet School of Advanced Studies.

Linking Partner Services

Outstanding Programs with Great Outcomes

Reading Soul Mates – This peer-to-peer program is designed to increase reading literacy, and is offered weekly to any and all students. Students receive training, recognition for reaching reading goals, and free books for participating in the program.

Charleston-Dorchester Dept. of Mental Health – A full-time mental health worker on staff at a school site is available to support up to 30 students and their families who are in need of mental health services.
Backpack Buddies – A program of the Lowcountry Foodbank, Backpack Buddies is for students who are food insecure and are not getting sufficient nourishment outside of school on a regular basis. Currently, 375 of our CIS students are participating in the Backpack Buddies program.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentoring – “Bigs In Schools” is a mentoring program offered by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Carolina Youth Development Center. Volunteer mentors who are thoroughly screened by Big Brothers Big Sisters are matched with a child and meet with them for one hour per week on the school grounds. During this time, a volunteer works with the children on activities that are fun and educational, as well as targeting the strengths and weaknesses identified by the classroom teacher and a Big Brothers Big Sisters Case Manager. These activities help children learn skills that will result in a more successful performance at school and at home.

Adult Education – General Education Development (GED) and English as a Second Language (ESL) programs are offered to parents and community members.

Mandated Reporting Support – Offered by The Dee Norton Lowcountry Children’s Center, professionals offer development training on mandated reporting and provide support to staff who file reports. School personnel in the tricounty area will possess the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively identify, report, and respond to suspicions and disclosures of child abuse and neglect.

Spirit of South Carolina – This nautical-related curriculum ties its activities to state standards for science. Lessons are provided to classroom teachers for pre- and post-sailing instructions. A group of 35 students participates in a day sail around the harbor, as they learn navigation skills and science standards tied to water biomes.

Financial Literacy – Family Services, Inc. and Increasing H.O.P.E. provide financial literacy classes to parents of the Links Sites.

SafetyNet – Tricounty Family Ministries and East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO) provide utility assistance to families of the Links Sites.