Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Communities In Schools Michigan outlines supports for Benton Harbor students
Summary
Communities In Schools Michigan staff described services in four Benton Harbor schools — student support coordinators, calming corners, material supports and partnerships — and shared early outcome data and available resources such as free Varsity Tutors for partner schools.
Representatives of Communities In Schools Michigan (CIS‑M) presented program goals, activities and early outcomes for Benton Harbor Area Schools on Dec. 10, telling the board CIS‑M provides school‑based student support coordinators, targeted social‑emotional supports and community partnerships to address nonacademic barriers to learning.
Isabella Vas, program director for CIS‑M’s far west Michigan zone, said CIS‑M works in four district schools and uses a six‑stage model — needs assessment, planning, integrated supports, monitoring, evaluation and proven success — to tailor services by building. CIS staff described activities including a back‑to‑school event distributing 1,600 backpacks, basic‑needs distributions, calming corners, a haircut and braiding event, 12 bikes donated to students, and procurement of 10 iPads.
Vas and student support coordinators reported several self‑reported gains from school surveys (examples given in presentation): increased student reporting of intent to make healthy choices and reductions in self‑reported bullying; staff‑reported positive effects on emotional skills; and reading and math gains in sampled cohorts from fall to spring. She said CIS‑M brought more than $100,000 in MDE funding to support direct student items and programs in the district.
Trustees asked how students access the Varsity Tutors partnership and whether Cape students are included; CIS staff said Varsity Tutors access is provided for any school partnered with CIS‑M, K‑12, and that Cape is not currently served but could be added. Trustees also asked about data access: CIS‑M said community and building needs assessments and school needs assessments are working documents that can be shared with building principals on request for transparency.
CIS‑M staff emphasized training for their employees (restorative practices, licensed clinical trainers) and described partnerships with local organizations for mental‑health and enrichment services. The board thanked CIS‑M and asked staff to continue coordination with principals and to report implementation details at follow‑up meetings.
Next steps: CIS‑M will continue case management in schools, expand site‑specific work as hires and caseloads grow, and share needs‑assessment materials with building administrators on request.
