CIS places a full-time social service provider on the school campus to deliver a variety of programming and provide referrals to other agencies as needed. Whether it is eye glasses, tutoring, or just a safe place to live, the CIS program manager is there to help. CIS provides supportive guidance and counseling to students in need of additional support in individual or group settings. CIS believes that when basic needs are met, students can concentrate on learning.

CIS connects students and their families to critical community resources tailored to fit their needs. Each year CIS provides approximately 15,000 referrals to students to nearly 300 local agencies to meet their wide-ranging needs.

Tailored to the needs of the individual campus, CIS designs a service model to bring the Five Basics to the campus. Students demonstrating the greatest need receive intensive case management and the rest of the campus is served on an as-needed basis.

In addition, CIS conducts a number of special programs to meet the varying needs of our students.

CIS Summer Youth Employment Program

CIS coordinates the Summer Youth Employment Program to expose CIS high school juniors and seniors to career opportunities. During the summer of 2010, CIS placed nearly 200 students in jobs and internships at a variety of local businesses, hospitals, law firms and nonprofits. Students were matched with a professional mentor to foster their development.

Emergency Needs Program

The emergency fund is used to meet real needs of students and families living in poverty; these needs range from food and clothing, to school supplies and utility assistance, to vision exams and corrective lenses. The emergency fund receives significant financial support from Christ Church Cathedral, as well as other generous donors.

Project MOVE Dental and Intervention Support Services

CIS developed two health services programs to meet pressing needs demonstrated on the school campus. CIS Project Mobile Operations Vehicle for Everybody (MOVE) Dental provides over 1,000 kids annually with free dental exams and teeth cleanings in a dental van in collaboration with the University of Texas Dental Branch. When student needs exceed the mobile unit’s capacity, referrals are made to outside agencies for restorative work.

Project Move Mental Health (MH), in partnership with DePelchin Children’s Center, Depression Bipolar Support Alliance, Houston Galveston Institute and Montrose Counseling Center, allows CIS to help students who require intensive mental health intervention.