Children First releases impact report

From Children First/ Communities in Schools of Buncombe County

Press release

Children First/Communities In Schools (CIS) of Buncombe County, part of the nation’s largest and most effective dropout prevention organization, today released a new Impact Report at www.childrenfirstcisbc.org that includes new data on how the organization is helping remove barriers for students and families living in poverty, providing resources, and surrounding students with a community of support.

The Impact Report demonstrates the effectiveness of wraparound services which Children First/CIS delivers to help the growing number of students living in poverty overcome barriers to learning. The Children First/CIS Impact Report comes just days after the Department of Education released new data showing the North Carolina high school graduation rate has reached 83%.

“Too many children in our community arrive in the classroom with the weight of the world keeping them from being able to concentrate on learning and thriving,” states Allison Jordan, Children First/CIS Executive Director. “By empowering students to achieve in school and life, we are building a better Buncombe County, where every person is capable of reaching his or her greatest potential.”

Children First/CIS Success Coordinators in Johnston Elementary and Emma Elementary Schools work with a team of school and support staff to assess the needs of students and provide integrated student supports, or supports that target academic and non-academic barriers to achievement. This is achieved through targeted interventions and a multi-tiered system of support. The range of resources they connect students and their families to includes food, school supplies, health care, counseling, academic assistance and positive role models.

Resources and services are typically provided by partnering with local businesses, social service agencies, health care providers and volunteers. Children First/CIS is situated to provide many of the resources that students and their families need through its other programs: Family Resource Center at Emma, Latino Outreach Program, Project POWER AmeriCorps, and after-school Learning Center/Summer Camp program. Combined, these Children First/CIS programs provide a food pantry, immigrant outreach, academic assistance, enrichment activities, mentoring and tutoring, parenting classes and emergency financial assistance. The organization recognizes that when the family of students are being supported with services and resources, the chances for success are exponentially greater. Therefore, it facilitates parenting classes and workshops, case management, and home visits to make sure the needs of the entire family are being addressed.

According to a recent study from Child Trends, “Integrated Student Supports: The Evidence” providing integrated student supports has shown to greatly increase attendance rates and math scores while decreasing grade retention, dropout rates, and absenteeism.

A big part of making sure these resources are provided is by making sure public policies are in place to provide the government level support that many families living in poverty need to ensure security and stability. Children First/CIS is one of the leaders in providing advocacy efforts on a local and state level.

According to the report, Children First/CIS achieved the following: 

• 3,436 children in Buncombe County, or 7% of all children living in Buncombe County, were served through Children First/CIS services and programming. These programs provide academic assistance, enrichment activities, mentoring, holiday assistance, food, clothing and school supply resources, and school support.
• 414 families were served with Children First/CIS direct services and programming that helped prevent short-term crisis that could lead to homelessness and/or food insecurity.
• 832 petition signatures were collected and sent to elected officials advocating for local Sunday bus service, preventing cuts to SNAP benefits and childcare subsidy vouchers, expanding Medicaid, creating affordable housing and re-instating the NC Earned Income Tax Credit.
• 25,000 Voter Guides were distributed via the Mountain Xpress that compiled candidate responses to questions concerning affordable housing, transportation, education funding, and more.
• 120 parents participated in parenting classes that promoted family security and empowerment.

“Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, and to meet their full potential,” says Ms. Jordan. “It is our goal to provide the support and resources children and families need so they can meet their potential. It is our honor and privilege to work with them in the schools, in our after-school programs, through parenting classes, and in their homes.