Support for CIS families in need gets $50K boost from Humana

(HOUSTON)—As COVID-19 rages on, Communities In Schools of Houston (CIS) is providing emergency aid and guidance and counseling support to students and families struggling with hardships. The nonprofit received a $50,000 grant from Humana Healthy Horizons to boost their efforts.

CIS partners with education leaders and community organizations to provide comprehensive services for students and families in need, and demands on families have never been greater as cases of COVID-19 continue to surge. From mental health counseling to assistance with bills, families are turning to student support specialists from CIS to help break down barriers to students’ success.

This school year, CIS of Houston student support specialists have been called to help more than 125,000 students at campuses in Aldine ISD, Alief ISD, Fort Bend ISD, Houston ISD, Spring ISD, Spring Branch ISD, Southwest Schools and Lone Star Colleges. The Humana Healthy Horizons grant will support Houston-area CIS students and their families struggling as a result of the pandemic-driven crisis.

“The financial strain and health challenges are really hard on families right now, and it’s directly impacting children’s ability to focus on school,” CIS of Houston CEO Lisa Descant said. “We’re committed to doing whatever it takes to help meet the need spurred by the pandemic and are grateful to Humana for the incredibly generous support—a clear example of their outstanding care for the wellbeing of students and their families.”

The grant is part of a series of Humana COVID-19 relief grants going to Communities In Schools chapters across Texas.

“We’re honored to support Communities in Schools of Houston as they invest in students and families who need assistance due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said John Barger, President of Humana Healthy Horizons, Humana’s Medicaid business. “Humana has a long history of supporting Texas community partners and a strong commitment to providing quality care while improving the health of the local people we serve.”

CIS is a 501c3 nonprofit that has consistently earned the 4-star fiscal responsibility distinction from Charity Navigator and is funded, in part, by generous donations.