Communities In Faculties of Houston (CIS), an training nonprofit, is celebrating Social Work Month this month. The theme, “Empowering Social Employees,” is aimed toward highlighting the contributions of social employees in uplifting communities.
The marketing campaign, coordinated by the Nationwide Affiliation of Social Employees, is designed to spotlight the work of social employees in faculties, hospitals, psychological well being facilities, governance and different businesses to policymakers, legislators and group members.
“Social Work Month is essential to Communities In Faculties as a result of it highlights the immense contributions of social employees all through our nation, whether or not in faculties or different milieus,” stated Lisa Descant, LPC-S (Licensed Skilled Counselor), LMFT-S (Licensed Marriage and Household Therapist -Supervisor) and CEO of CIS of Houston. “Of their social work function, our Pupil Assist Managers are bettering the lives of scholars on CIS campuses, together with their households, by way of the great companies they supply.”
The group connects college students to people who can information them, together with scholar help managers and psychological well being professionals. In accordance with the 2023 CIS annual report, 7,569 college students acquired service from psychological well being professionals.
In March, CIS college campuses have deliberate to honor their employees members and spotlight the scholar help managers on social media all through the month.
Communities In Faculties of Houston: who’re they and what do they do?
CIS at the moment serves 163 campuses in six Houston-area college districts and Lone Star Faculty. These embody seven campuses within the Aldine Unbiased Faculty District, 41 in Alief ISD, 4 in Fort Bend ISD, 56 in Houston ISD, 10 in Spring ISD, 37 in Spring Department ISD, two in Texas Connections Academy, and 16 within the Lone Star Faculty.
It locations at the very least one scholar help supervisor on every campus to supply companies akin to counseling, tutorial help, father or mother and household engagement, well being, and faculty and profession readiness.
CIS additionally refers college students and households to group sources and collaborates with greater than 350 group companions, together with volunteers, social service businesses, psychological well being suppliers, and educators.
“College students face many challenges at the moment, together with psychological well being points, bullying and substance abuse, together with the pressures of maintaining academically,” Descant stated. “Our campus-based employees assist college students navigate tough conditions with compassion, interventions and sensible options. This month permits us to spotlight their invaluable contributions to our group.”
The scholar demographics comprise:
63% Hispanic/Latinx
29% Black
5% White
3% Asian
In accordance with the group’s annual report from final yr, 92% of the scholars it serves acquired free/ lowered lunch, and 61% acquired public help.
Amongst them, 40% of the scholars had restricted English proficiency, and 15% of them had been concerned in household battle or disaster.
Furthermore, these companies had an affect on college college students college students, per the CIS report:
9,821 college students acquired case administration companies,
Practically all (99%) college students from grades 7-12 remained at school,
96% of the scholars had been promoted to the subsequent grade stage,
98% of the scholars graduated, and
85% of the scholars confirmed enchancment in lecturers, attendance, and/or habits.
Amongst faculty college students, 68% had re-enrollment switch and commencement charges.
