Grant supports Mental Health Initiative, provides funds for Stay in School fundraiser

Communities In Schools of Houston (CIS), an educational nonprofit, announces that it been has awarded a grant of $50,000 from H-E-B, with $40,000 dedicated to its Mental Health Initiative and $10,000 toward the 2023 Stay in School gala. This annual event raises funds for the CIS mission of surrounding Pre-K-12 and post-secondary students in the greater Houston area with a community of support through targeted services, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.

One of the pillars of Communities In Schools of Houston programs is the Mental Health Initiative (MHI), begun in 2012, which is the main component of the H-E-B grant. MHI has grown to encompass a three-part program of mental health support on the campuses served. Through CIS campus-based mental health professionals, the CIS Mobile Mental Health Team and mental health partners, CIS is able to provide counseling, facilitate support groups and make referrals to students and their parents.

“CIS is humbled by the generosity of H-E-B in helping to sustain and expand our Mental Health Initiative, along with providing funds for our core programs through the Stay in School donation,” says Lisa Descant, LPC-S, LMFT-S and CEO of Communities In Schools of Houston. “In 2012, CIS was providing 300 students with mental health supports on five campuses, while during the 2020-21 school year, we facilitated and coordinated mental health services for more than 5,000 students across 82 campuses. The need for these services is greater than ever, and this grant will ensure that students continue to receive support.”

Over the last 10 years, CIS has continually increased the number of licensed mental health professionals on staff and has expanded its capacity to provide training and supervision to achieve licensures. It has solidified partnerships with mental health agencies to further support students. Specific interventions target grief and loss, anxiety, depression, suicide ideations, verbal or physical aggression, suspected drug/alcohol use and conflict in the home.
Currently serving 173 campuses in six Houston-area schools districts and Lone Star College, CIS places at least one full-time Student Support Manager on each partner campus to deliver direct services – counseling, academic support and health and human services. CIS also provides students and families with tailored referrals to community resources, while collaborating with more than 300 community partners, including volunteers, social service agencies, mental health providers and educators, to help students stay in school.

For more information about Communities In Schools of Houston, please visit www.cishouston.org.