Programs and Services - Communities In Schools (CIS) of Charleston, South Carolina

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Many bright and talented young people drop out of school for a variety of reasons. The following list describes the target audience for the Student Support Program and identifies many of the range of academic and social/personal risk factors that contribute to school attrition:

The majority of students are from low-income, single parent families (most receive free or reduced price lunch based on family income).
Academic performance of students is poor.
Many students are over age for their class placement.
Student’s often have negative attitudes regarding school and academic achievement.
Depending on the site location, students may be attending a school that has been rated “Unsatisfactory” or a school that has an improvement rating of “Below Average” by the State of South Carolina Department of Education.
Significant numbers of students have scored “below basic” on the PACT.
Students are often experiencing difficulties within the family setting such as substance/alcohol abuse and domestic violence.
Parents and or siblings, in many cases, did not complete high school and/or became teen parents.

Fundamental to the CIS mission is presence in schools; Student Support Specialists - CIS youth experts -- provide a caring adult on-site who is present to immediately assist children, their families and the schools at moments of crisis and share in rejoice at moments of accomplishment. Presence creates “buy-in” from children and families and allows meaningful collaboration between CIS Specialists and teachers and administrators.

The following is a description of many of the services provided by CIS staff and partners. It is our belief that the more support given students - support that is “wrapped-around” young people - the more likely they are to remain in school through graduation - ultimately becoming productive members of their communities.

Mentoring
Communities In Schools (CIS) mentoring programs match students with "mentors" -- exemplary adults from the community who have volunteered to dedicate themselves to at least one year of one-on-one, weekly interaction with a CIS student. Mentoring is one of the most powerful tools to combat the growing disconnection between high school students and young professionals in our society.

After-School Programming
CIS After-School Programs strive to improve students’ sense of responsibility, attachment to school, motivation, and self-esteem through activities that are age, gender, and culturally appropriate. These activities include: tutoring, mentoring, career counseling, pregnancy prevention, healthy decision-making, service learning and physical and creative expression. Examples include:

Wise Guys Club
Wise Guys is an evidence-based stressing male responsibility and character building initiative. Adolescent boys meet weekly with male CIS Student Support Specialists and cover a 10-part curriculum including topics such as communication, decision-making, sexually transmitted diseases, and goal-setting. Performing service-learning projects and peer mentoring for upper elementary male students are key facets of the Wise Guys program.
Kids In Motion
Kids In Motion is a fitness/nutrition club that meets at least once weekly at various school sites. Through a unique partnership with DHEC and the Medical University of South Carolina’s College of Nursing, nursing students work with CIS students in an atmosphere that promotes individual fitness goals.
Support Our Students (SOS)
The SOS Tutoring Program is a year-long tutoring program for elementary school children that focus on providing tutor/mentors for students who need tutoring in literacy. During the summer, volunteers tutor students two hours each morning three days a week for six weeks. During the school year, the program is offered two hours after school one day per week. All volunteer tutoring is supervised.

Teen Companion/MAPPS
The Teen Companion/MAPPS (Medicaid Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Services) Program is a partnership with Communities In Schools and the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS). A needs assessment and case plan is completed by the student, parent or guardian, and Student Support Specialist. The child can then begin participating in individual and group sessions. Specialists get to know the needs of children and families, and refer them to outside resources when necessary.

Parenting
Communities In Schools recognizes the vital role of engaged parenting in the social and academic development of young people. Whether promoting communication between parents and their children, fostering role-modeling opportunities for adults, or partnering with Parents’ Anonymous and other organizations to address specific needs, CIS facilitates family development exercises through a range of initiatives. Examples include:

Families And Schools Together (FAST)
FAST (Families and Schools Together) is an early intervention/prevention multifamily group process. FAST is an innovative research-based program that follows a three-step process to enhance family functioning, prevent academic failure, prevent alcohol and drug abuse, and manage the stress of daily experiences. During weekly FAST meetings, families enjoy a meal together, one-on-one time between parent and child, and communication-oriented games.
Can We Talk? Can We Talk? Is a parent education program to begin to bridge the gap that often exists between schools, parents and their children around difficult topics related to sexuality and health, drugs, harassment and bullying.

Lions-Quest Skills for Adolescence.
This curriculum focuses on character education, communication skills and life skills education to help guide young people to make healthy choices. The program goals are as follows:

Help youth resist negative pressures and live healthy, drug-free lives,
Celebrate diversity,
Build active citizenship skills through real-life community service,
Provide resources and support to adults who support young people and
Involve the family, school and community.

SAFE Initiative (Sea Island Advocates For Education)
A multi-faceted collaborative initiative on Johns and Wadmalaw Islands. The coalition of organizations is committed to reducing the dropout rate and teen pregnancies on Johns and Wadmalaw Islands. The initiative includes application of researched-based programs, educational curriculum enhancement, community and youth development programming and increased access to health care and prevention services

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