About Us
Who We Are
Communities In Schools started in Georgia over 30 years ago and is now the nation’s leading dropout prevention organization, serving over one million youth in 25 states and the District of Columbia. ICF International recently completed a comprehensive five-year evaluation, comparing the results to over 1,600 studies screened by the Department of Education’s What Works Clearinghouse. ICF concluded that the Communities In Schools model is cost-effective, reduces dropout rates, and increases graduation rates.
Dodge Connection-Communities In Schools of Dodge County, Inc.
A unique public-private partnership is a 501C3 nonprofit organization supported by a combination of federal, state and local funds including private, corporate and individual contributions. The local collaborative (with over 75 members) includes representatives from all governmental agencies, private non-profit organizations, parents and youth, the local business community, social services and child serving agencies, the faith community, law enforcement, and post-secondary educational institutions.
Our after school and summer programs are held at our facility known as “The Club”, formerly The Boys and Girls Club. Dodge County students K-12 attend from 3-6pm daily and follow the school calendar. Summer hours are from 7:30 until 6 daily. Breakfast, Lunch, and snacks are provided. Tutors assist with homework and coordinate age-appropriate recreation and enrichment activities for the groups of youth.
Why It's Important
Across the country, 15 million school-aged students live in
poverty. Without community support, they are more at risk for
missing school, dropping out and failing to earn a high school
diploma.
By helping our most vulnerable students stay in
school and succeed in life, we are building stronger, healthier
and more economically-stable communities where every
person is capable of reaching his or her greatest potential.
After all, each child is our child, and our collective future.
Our Vision
To develop an effective and informed community partnership which seeks to actively strengthen support systems in an effort to:
Promote families that are strong, unified and self-sufficient.
Enhance the Lives of children in order that they are well cared for (food, clothing, shelter, and other basic needs) healthy, loved, and self-disciplined thereby prepared to succeed in school.
Provide all of our children with a quality education in order that they become confident, independent, and contributing citizens.
Dodge Connection – Communities in Schools of Dodge County provides needed services to schools and students:
Tier 1: School-Wide Services
Our school-wide services and resources are designed to foster a positive school climate and address school-level risk factors. They are short-term interventions that are provided on an as-needed basis. These services or resources are open to all students.
Examples of Tier 1 resources or services include motivational speakers for school-wide assemblies, career or college fairs, and school-wide anti-bullying programs.
Tier 2: Targeted Group Support
Our targeted group support activities are designed to help groups of students who are dealing with similar barriers. We implement programs and rely on our expert partners to provide support in areas where we don’t have specific expertise. Those areas include math and reading tutoring, anti-bullying programming, mentoring groups, backpack meals, risky behavior initiatives, and smoking cessation.
Tier 3: Individual Case Management
Our case management service is our most intense level of service and where we spend the majority of our time working with students. In conjunction with school staff, our interventions are guided by an integrated process of developing individualized support plans with each student and family and using that to guide, track, evaluate and adjust to fit the needs of each student we serve. Regular check-ins during school, supportive one-on-one sessions, home visits and referrals to outside support is crucial to ensure our students succeed.
Watch Video:
Who We Are
Communities in Schools (CIS) is the nation’s leading dropout prevention organization. Our mission is to surround students with community support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.
Donate
Your gift will help provide youth with the programs and support that they need to stay in school and prepare for life. Our vision is for ALL youth to stay in school and prepare for life. Your donation can help make this a reality.
Volunteer
Volunteering with Dodge Connection-Communities In Schools of Dodge County is an excellent way to give back to our community. You can make a difference in the lives of the youth we serve in Dodge County.