Community-Based

CIS-SA and Bexar County’s partnership began with Strive Court and has expanded to include five specialty courts. The CIS-SA Juvenile Specialty Courts Coordinator (JSCC) serves as a vital link between Bexar County Juvenile Specialty Courts (Drug Court, Crossroads, MIND, Family Enrichment, and STRIVE) and eligible participants, connecting them with CIS-SA’s school-based Site Coordinators. The JSCC’s primary focus is collaborating with probation officers to ensure that referred students attend school, receive academic intervention, and meet probation requirements. They provide resources and referrals to overcome obstacles. The JSCC identifies students attending a CIS-SA campus, referring them to a CIS-SA Site Coordinator for school-based case management. These Site Coordinators assess and support student attendance, behavior, and academic improvements. Additionally, the JSCC encourages students not at CIS-SA sites to enroll in the CIS-SA program. Through collaboration with probation officers, the JSCC offers additional support to meet the basic needs of students and their families. Effective communication is maintained through progress reports submitted to Bexar County Juvenile Probation Officers, and the JSCC actively participates in all scheduled Juvenile Specialty Court staffing and hearings.

Collaborating with Haven for Hope since 2019, CIS-SA assists families with school-age students in navigating the education system. The primary goal of the CIS-SA Education Coordinator is to establish a robust support system for each student residing at Haven for Hope. This support includes ensuring their enrollment in school and providing access to educational opportunities, resources, and social services to promote healthy behaviors, self-esteem, and academic success. The CIS-SA Education Coordinator identifies students who attend CIS-SA sites and connects them with Site Coordinators to receive wraparound case management services at the school. Families with school-age students at non-CIS-SA sites also receive essential support and benefit from collaborative efforts to enhance communication between parents and district/school personnel.

Our community-based programs are designed to meet families and youth where they are, geographically and emotionally. They provide accessible, culturally responsive, and holistic support that empowers individuals to overcome barriers and thrive.

In collaboration with UP Partnership, CIS-SA Community Specialists facilitate relationships between schools and community partners to support student involvement, well-being, and resource access. They work closely with site coordinators, school staff, key stakeholders, and community partners to address the unique needs of each school community. This involves strengthening current partnerships, establishing new ones, organizing partner training, ensuring the quality of community programs, and supporting various projects that enhance connections between schools and the community. These connections may involve local businesses, community organizations, faith leaders, and other relevant stakeholders, all aimed at fostering positive engagement within the community and neighborhoods, whether in a feeder pattern or district.