COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS Garyanisha S. Thomas, CIS Social Worker - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS

Garyanisha S. Thomas, CIS Social Worker

ABOUT ME

• Born in New Orleans, Louisiana
• Relocated to Texas in 2005 due to Hurricane Katrina
• Graduated from James Bowie High School in Arlington, Texas
• I am a first generation high school graduate.
• Bachelor of Social Work, August 2017
• Master of Social Work, December 2018
• Master of Public Administration, coming in August 2020
• I love to travel

SOCIAL WORKER

• What is a social worker?
• What jobs can a social worker have?
• More specifically, what does a Communities In Schools social worker do?
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdLuh7boKQ4
• I plan various programs, groups, talk to parents, hold student and teacher

conferences, field trips, as well as individually counsel students.

• I plan things or events for teachers.

WHAT IS CIS?

• CIS is a proactive and proven Stay-In-School

Network.

• Our mission is to surround students with a

community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.

PRIMARY GOALS

• To help students in at-risk situations

stay in school and improve in academics, attendance, and/or behavior.

• CIS also helps students promote to

the next grade, graduate, and/or

• btain a GED.

CIS: THE FIVE BASICS

• CIS believes that every child needs

and deserves:

• A personal, one-on-one relationship

with a caring adult

• A safe place to learn and grow
• A healthy start and a healthy future
• A marketable skill to use upon

graduation

• A chance to give back to peers

and community

CIS: THE SIX COMPONENTS

• We provide Integrated Student

Supports through sic CIS Components:

• Supportive Guidance
• Health and Human Services
• Parent/Family Engagement
• College/Career Readiness
• Enrichment Services
• Academic Support

WHAT SERVICES CAN CIS PROVIDE AT KHS?

• My services are STUDENT led.
• Services offered include but are not

limited to:

• Mentoring
• Tutoring
• Providing Basic Needs
• Transportation
• College Readiness
• Field Trips
• Grade Checks
• Your Advocate

“I am not here to tell you what you need, I am here for you to tell me what you need.”

• School Supplies
• Attendance Checks
• Career Readiness
• Post-High School Plan
• Stress and/or Anxiety Management
• DAEP
• THIS LIST COULD CONTINUE

FOREVER!!

HOW CAN YOU JOIN?

• Myths
• I can only work with “bad” students.
• I have an “agenda.”
• I am going to tell you what to do

and make decisions for you.

• Facts
• I work with whoever wants to work

with me.

• I work with students based on what

their needs are.

• You can refer yourself.
• You can refer a friend.
• Teachers or parents refer students.
• My program is VOLUNTARY.
• Parent consent forms are required.
• I will hold you ACCOUNTABLE.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW

• Loosely confidential.
• What does that mean?
• I see my CIS student once a week or
• nce every other week.
• If you need to see me more you just

need to communicate that with me.

• I WILL ALWAYS MAKE TIME FOR YOU!
• EMAIL..EMAIL…E-M-A-I-L !!
• CISTARRANT@KISDTX.NET
• Schedule is outside of my door.
• Subject to constant change.
• I, also, work with students who are

not in the CIS program on a case by case basis.