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‘Keeping Kids in School’ bill would send $4M to Communities In Schools after lawmakers hear program results
Summary
Senate Bill 135 proposes a $4 million appropriation for Communities In Schools (CIS) to expand site coordinators and integrated student supports; testimony highlighted improved attendance and high graduation rates among case‑managed students and described the program’s public‑private funding model.
Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro introduced Senate Bill 135, the “Keeping Kids in School Act,” which would appropriate $4,000,000 to expand the Services provided by Communities In Schools of Nevada (CIS). Cannizzaro described CIS as an evidence‑based model of integrated student supports that places site coordinators on school campuses to address students’ basic needs and connect them to community services.
CIS representatives testified with data from the prior biennium showing expansion and measurable outcomes. Laura Meyer, representing CIS, said the organization grew from 92 to 118 schools during the last biennium, increased its full‑time site coordinator workforce by 20%, and served nearly 100,000 students with school‑wide supports; more than 7,000 students received case‑managed services. Meyer reported a 97% graduation rate among CIS case‑managed seniors and said CIS schools focusing on attendance saw notable declines in chronic absenteeism: of the 78 schools that targeted attendance, three‑quarters reduced chronic absenteeism by at least 5% and a third by at least 10%.
Tammy Hansel (Hansler in transcript), CIS chief executive, detailed the program model: full‑time CIS site coordinators are CIS employees embedded at schools, coordinate with MTSS teams, make outreach and home visits when appropriate, and connect families to services ranging from clothing and hygiene items to transportation and college‑application assistance. CIS staff said the organization prioritizes feeder‑pattern placements that follow students from elementary to middle to high school and that the program’s nonclinical approach relieves pressure on school counselors and administrators.
CIS contracts with school districts and typically uses a public‑private funding mix: schools or districts pay part of the per‑school cost (quoted ranges were about $34,000 to $59,000 for a full‑time site coordinator and program services), and CIS fundraises to cover the remaining 40–60% as needed. CIS officials and multiple district and education leaders — including trustees and superintendents — testified in support, describing the program as “shovel ready,” evidence‑based and critical to improving attendance and graduation outcomes.
Committee members asked technical questions about program approval, evidence and funding mechanics. CIS witnesses said the Nevada Department of Education had vetted and approved CIS as an evidence‑based wraparound model, and that demand remains high, with many schools on waitlists. The hearing closed with broad support among education associations and local partners; no committee vote was recorded in the transcript.
