Frequently Asked Questions

What is Communities In Schools?

Communities In Schools is the nation’s leading community-based organization helping kids succeed in school and prepare for life. CIS began in Atlanta and now serves over 1 million young people with programs and activities in 27 states and the District of Columbia. For over 30 years we have been widely known for our dropout prevention programs, but we’re much more. In Georgia, 50 Communities In Schools sites increase attendance and graduation rate of thousands of students yearly. Our organization bases success on our ability to build strong local community partnerships with school administrators, regulatory agencies, businesses and other youth oriented organizations. Our local CIS sites tailor programs and activities to meet the specific needs of its community and schools. Types of programs include Performance Learning Centers®, mentoring, parent education, technology training, literacy initiatives and youth leadership development. For information on our national office and other CIS programs, visit the national website.

Why is Communities In Schools needed?

Everyday many students face educational hurdles that come from outside the classroom. Hunger, poverty, family crises, low self-esteem, medical problems, violence, alcohol, and drugs negatively affect a child’s chances of being successful in school and in life. Communities In Schools takes a community development approach to supporting kids by unifying the full resources of the community around children, families, teachers, and schools as a support system to address these educational hurdles. Communities In Schools works at building relationships, locally and statewide – because the impact of all groups linked to the schools can achieve the positive results in kids and families we all seek.

What makes Communities In Schools the “leading” organization in its field?

We are not aware of another organization with a similar mission (helping young people successfully learn, stay in school and prepare for life) that reaches such a large number of students, schools and communities, and has an equivalent history of experience and success.

How have Communities In Schools programs helped Georgia communities?

In 45 Georgia communities, Communities In Schools has helped nearly 100,000 students succeed in school and prepare for life. Activities such as mentoring, tutoring, reading programs, job skills development, technology training, leadership training, and parent involvement have helped kids stay in school, pass to the next grade, and graduate with marketable skills.

What are some specific outcomes of Communities In Schools sponsored activities?

Learn more about our Special Events

When and where did Communities In Schools get started?

The earliest form of Communities In Schools began in the 1960’s with storefront schools in New York City to give school dropouts a second chance to earn a high school diploma and go on to college. In 1968, these “street academies” which combined personal support to students with a strong alternative educational program, received funding from the U.S. Postal Service and opened in six cities across the country. In 1973, the Atlanta program, then known as Exodus, Inc., became the dropout prevention model that was studied, refined, and replicated across the country under the name Cities In Schools, now known as Communities In Schools (CIS). The CIS national office moved to Washington, D.C. in 1983 and the Communities In Schools of Georgia state office officially incorporated in 1989. Now the national network has expanded into 27 states and the District of Columbia, serving over 1 million young people annually.

How do I get involved with Communities In Schools programs as a donor or volunteer?

To get involved with Communities In Schools as a volunteer, contact your local Communities In Schools program. To make a donation to Communities In Schools of Georgia, click here or call 1-800-888-5784.

How do I find out about Communities In Schools programs and services in my area?

To find out about Communities In Schools programs in your area click here, or call 404-897-2974.

How do I get Communities In Schools publications?

To receive CIS marketing materials, click here or call 404-897-2391.

How do I develop Communities In Schools programs for my area if services aren’t already available?

To develop a Communities In Schools program in your area, please contact the Community Development at the Communities In Schools state office at dbrown(at)cisgeorgia.org or call 404-897-2974.

What are the start-up costs involved in developing a Communities In Schools program?

Under a comprehensive approach, there are minimum costs to individual communities to implement CIS.
A community’s investment in establishing a local CIS initiative consists identifying available resources, determining local needs, developing a plan, coordinating with local boards of education, hiring an executive director and support staff, raising funds to match CIS grants for start-up and support, and tracking and reporting on students served.
The cost to a community of sustaining a CIS collaboration varies from minimal to modest. Many local CIS operations begin – and maintain – their staffing levels with a single executive director and an administrative assistant. Salaries and benefits vary depending on community standards; office rent and supplies may often be in-kind contributions; typical budgets also include travel, insurance and other miscellaneous costs. Larger CIS operations may require more staff and in some CIS programs staff is assigned to each school served. On average, for every $100 donated to CIS, $90 goes directly to programs and services.

How is Communities In Schools funded?

Communities In Schools, Inc., a national 501(c)3, is privately and publicly funded through a variety of corporate, foundation and federal grants. Communities In Schools of Georgia, similarly is funded through a variety of state, federal, corporate and foundation grants. On the local level, Communities In Schools sites receive funding from the CIS state office, local private sector support and various state, federal, and foundation grants. Ensuring ongoing financial support for the CIS partnership should be addressed openly by community collaborators prior to CIS implementation, in order to not compete for funding directed towards local service providers.

Why does Communities In Schools require 60% of its board members to be from the private sector?

Private sector resources are the key to sustaining Communities In Schools programs that help kids succeed in school and prepare for life. Therefore, even though all segments of the community are represented on a local Board of Directors (educators, social service professionals, parents and representatives from faith-based organizations), a majority of private sector representatives are needed to create and sustain the link between local businesses and schools so that all kids can succeed.

Does Communities In Schools offer programs for adult learners?

Communities In Schools operates Parental Information and Resource Centers. Through these centers, parents of pre-school and school aged children can receive services. Some CIS programs provide adult literacy services.

Some Communities In Schools programs have Charter status. What does that mean?

Communities In Schools sites go through four programmatic developmental stages, culminating in chartered status. A CIS site begins in the planning stage, which usually takes one year for a task force to identify problems, and assess and prioritize community needs. After the planning stage, a site moves into the implementation stage and a Board of Directors is put into place and an Executive Director is hired to begin programming. Following eight logistical steps, a site is then moved into the operational phase to fully begin serving students. A CIS site is then ready for charter review, which requires a rigorous accreditation process. Five different key operational areas are examined carefully by a state and national CIS team during the review for chartering. Chartered sites are more sustainable because they are institutionalized and not built around any one individual. A chartered site receives first preference for pass-through funds from both the State and National office.

What is the purpose of the Communities In Schools state office? Does the Communities In Schools state office compete with local Communities In Schools offices for funding?

The Communities In Schools state office works to begin new CIS programs and also provides training and technical assistance for the 50 local Communities In Schools sites currently operating in Georgia. The state office also coordinates certain multi-county/statewide programs. For a list and description of those programs, click here. The CIS state office does not compete with local Communities In Schools offices for funding. Funding for the state office comes from national foundation grants, as well as state and federal sources.

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Frequently Asked Questions What is Communities In Schools? Why is Communities In Schools needed? What makes Communities In Schools the “leading” organization in its field? How have Communities In Schools programs helped Georgia communities? What are some specific outcomes of Communities In Schools sponsored activities? How and where did Communities In Schools get started? How do I get involved with Communities In Schools programs as a donor or volunteer? How do I find out about Communities In Schools programs and services in my area? How do I get Communities In Schools publications? How do I develop Communities In Schools programs for my area if services aren’t already available? What are the start-up costs involved in developing a Communities In Schools program? How is Communities In Schools funded? Why does Communities In Schools require 60% of its board members to be from the private sector? Does Communities In Schools offer programs for adult learners? Some Communities In Schools programs have Charter status. What does that mean? What is the purpose of the Communities In Schools state office? Does the Communities In Schools state office compete with local Communities In Schools offices for funding? What is Communities In Schools? Communities In Schools is the nation’s leading community-based organization helping kids succeed in school and prepare for life. CIS began in Atlanta and now serves over 1 million young people with programs and activities in 27 states and the District of Columbia. For over 30 years we have been widely known for our dropout prevention programs, but we’re much more. In Georgia, 50 Communities In Schools sites increase attendance and graduation rate of thousands of students yearly. Our organization bases success on our ability to build strong local community partnerships with school administrators, regulatory agencies, businesses and other youth oriented organizations. Our local CIS sites tailor programs and activities to meet the specific needs of its community and schools. Types of programs include Performance Learning Centers®, mentoring, parent education, technology training, literacy initiatives and youth leadership development. For information on our national office and other CIS programs, visit the national website. Why is Communities In Schools needed? Everyday many students face educational hurdles that come from outside the classroom. Hunger, poverty, family crises, low self-esteem, medical problems, violence, alcohol, and drugs negatively affect a child’s chances of being successful in school and in life. Communities In Schools takes a community development approach to supporting kids by unifying the full resources of the community around children, families, teachers, and schools as a support system to address these educational hurdles. Communities In Schools works at building relationships, locally and statewide – because the impact of all groups linked to the schools can achieve the positive results in kids and families we all seek. What makes Communities In Schools the “leading” organization in its field? We are not aware of another organization with a similar mission (helping young people successfully learn, stay in school and prepare for life) that reaches such a large number of students, schools and communities, and has an equivalent history of experience and success. How have Communities In Schools programs helped Georgia communities? In 45 Georgia communities, Communities In Schools has helped nearly 100,000 students succeed in school and prepare for life. Activities such as mentoring, tutoring, reading programs, job skills development, technology training, leadership training, and parent involvement have helped kids stay in school, pass to the next grade, and graduate with marketable skills. What are some specific outcomes of Communities In Schools sponsored activities? Learn more about our Special Events When and where did Communities In Schools get started? The earliest form of Communities In Schools began in the 1960’s with storefront schools in New York City to give school dropouts a second chance to earn a high school diploma and go on to college. In 1968, these “street academies” which combined personal support to students with a strong alternative educational program, received funding from the U.S. Postal Service and opened in six cities across the country. In 1973, the Atlanta program, then known as Exodus, Inc., became the dropout prevention model that was studied, refined, and replicated across the country under the name Cities In Schools, now known as Communities In Schools (CIS). The CIS national office moved to Washington, D.C. in 1983 and the Communities In Schools of Georgia state office officially incorporated in 1989. Now the national network has expanded into 27 states and the District of Columbia, serving over 1 million young people annually. How do I get involved with Communities In Schools programs as a donor or volunteer? To get involved with Communities In Schools as a volunteer, contact your local Communities In Schools program. To make a donation to Communities In Schools of Georgia, click here or call 1-800-888-5784. How do I find out about Communities In Schools programs and services in my area? To find out about Communities In Schools programs in your area click here, or call 404-897-2974. How do I get Communities In Schools publications? To receive CIS marketing materials, click here or call 404-897-2391. How do I develop Communities In Schools programs for my area if services aren’t already available? To develop a Communities In Schools program in your area, please contact the Community Development at the Communities In Schools state office at dbrown(at)cisgeorgia.org or call 404-897-2974. What are the start-up costs involved in developing a Communities In Schools program? Under a comprehensive approach, there are minimum costs to individual communities to implement CIS. A community’s investment in establishing a local CIS initiative consists identifying available resources, determining local needs, developing a plan, coordinating with local boards of education, hiring an executive director and support staff, raising funds to match CIS grants for start-up and support, and tracking and reporting on students served. The cost to a community of sustaining a CIS collaboration varies from minimal to modest. Many local CIS operations begin – and maintain – their staffing levels with a single executive director and an administrative assistant. Salaries and benefits vary depending on community standards; office rent and supplies may often be in-kind contributions; typical budgets also include travel, insurance and other miscellaneous costs. Larger CIS operations may require more staff and in some CIS programs staff is assigned to each school served. On average, for every $100 donated to CIS, $90 goes directly to programs and services. How is Communities In Schools funded? Communities In Schools, Inc., a national 501(c)3, is privately and publicly funded through a variety of corporate, foundation and federal grants. Communities In Schools of Georgia, similarly is funded through a variety of state, federal, corporate and foundation grants. On the local level, Communities In Schools sites receive funding from the CIS state office, local private sector support and various state, federal, and foundation grants. Ensuring ongoing financial support for the CIS partnership should be addressed openly by community collaborators prior to CIS implementation, in order to not compete for funding directed towards local service providers. Why does Communities In Schools require 60% of its board members to be from the private sector? Private sector resources are the key to sustaining Communities In Schools programs that help kids succeed in school and prepare for life. Therefore, even though all segments of the community are represented on a local Board of Directors (educators, social service professionals, parents and representatives from faith-based organizations), a majority of private sector representatives are needed to create and sustain the link between local businesses and schools so that all kids can succeed. Does Communities In Schools offer programs for adult learners? Communities In Schools operates Parental Information and Resource Centers. Through these centers, parents of pre-school and school aged children can receive services. Some CIS programs provide adult literacy services. Some Communities In Schools programs have Charter status. What does that mean? Communities In Schools sites go through four programmatic developmental stages, culminating in chartered status. A CIS site begins in the planning stage, which usually takes one year for a task force to identify problems, and assess and prioritize community needs. After the planning stage, a site moves into the implementation stage and a Board of Directors is put into place and an Executive Director is hired to begin programming. Following eight logistical steps, a site is then moved into the operational phase to fully begin serving students. A CIS site is then ready for charter review, which requires a rigorous accreditation process. Five different key operational areas are examined carefully by a state and national CIS team during the review for chartering. Chartered sites are more sustainable because they are institutionalized and not built around any one individual. A chartered site receives first preference for pass-through funds from both the State and National office. What is the purpose of the Communities In Schools state office? Does the Communities In Schools state office compete with local Communities In Schools offices for funding? The Communities In Schools state office works to begin new CIS programs and also provides training and technical assistance for the 50 local Communities In Schools sites currently operating in Georgia. The state office also coordinates certain multi-county/statewide programs. For a list and description of those programs, click here. The CIS state office does not compete with local Communities In Schools offices for funding. Funding for the state office comes from national foundation grants, as well as state and federal sources. Donate to CIS Support CIS kids in Georgia. 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