CIS El Paso Newsletter
Mental Health and Wellness
Communities In Schools Who We Are
Communities In Schools Of El Paso, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) classified (IRS) organization. CIS of El Paso is an accredited organization of the CIS National Program. We deliver a multi-service dropout prevention program in the El Paso area. CIS of El Paso provides opportunities for students to improve in the areas of academics, behavior, and attendance for a higher stay in school rate. For over 31 years, we have been and are still the only school-based, not-for-profit organization presenting dropout prevention services in El Paso County.
CIS started its operation with one campus in 1984. We served 10,094 students with direct, one-on-one, case-managed, dropout prevention services and more than 42,456 students on designated service target lists with indirect services. Our Program Coordinators are in 59 campuses and 3 special programs in (4) school districts in the greater El Paso area.
Mental Health and Wellness Initiative
Community in Schools of El Paso is proud to announce the new Mental Health and Wellness Program, which will launch in January 2020. This program will be implemented in the districts that CIS is affiliated with; Ysleta, Socorro, Tornillo, Clint and the El Paso Academy East and West. The program will take into consideration the needs of each campus in order to build a holistic approach to provide services to students and families. This includes working with the entire system that revolves around a student such as parents/guardians, teachers, campus personnel and administrators. With the help of each campus CIS Program Coordinator and community agencies we can close the gap between health and learning. Every student and family we serve should have the opportunity to have access to services that can help them be healthier in mind and body.
Purpose
A school-based initiative in collaboration with community agencies to provide students and families with mental health and wellness services. The services help at-risk youth and families overcome the mental health and wellness challenges to develop a healthier self-well-being, build resiliency, and engage in learning. The initiative helps address the importance of Mental Health and Wellness at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence to adulthood.
Project Overview
In collaboration with CIS Program Coordinators and community agencies, the Mental Health and Wellness program consists of monthly educational topics to campus personnel, students, and parents. CIS Program Coordinators will be trained to facilitate student and parent groups to address areas of self-well-being and youth health. Referrals will be provided to at-risk students and families to be able to receive affordable mental health services from a Mental Health Professional that is located on or off campus.
Activities
Through elective periods like PE, Health and College Career classes students are presented on topics that are affecting their well-being and the different resources available on and off campus to get the help they need. The services are based on the needs of each campus and presentations, groups, and activities may vary. Presentations and activities are adjusted to the grade level being served. CIS Program Coordinators work with smaller groups of 5-10 students to address common need concerns like understanding emotions, self-esteem, grief, social and coping skills, school / home stress etc… through the use of evidence-based curriculum. Workshops and parent educational courses on mental health and well-being are provided to parents each month on the topics of need per campus like social media impact on health, internet safety, cyberbullying, healthy eating, NAMI Basics Courses etc…
For more information on how to start this initiative at your campus please contact Communities In Schools of El Paso at 915.593.7317 or email Lupe Anchondo lupe@ciselpaso.net