CISEasternPA Receives Funding to Expand Student Supports, Services Across Four PA Counties

Communities In Schools of Eastern Pennsylvania (CISEasternPA) has been awarded funding to expand their integrated student supports model into six new school sites and expand services across Berks, Chester, Lehigh, and Northampton counties. CISEasternPA was one of 36 CIS affiliates nationally to be awarded this funding. The three-year “Scaling for Success" initiative expands supports and resources in four counties starting the 2023-2024 school year.

CISEasternPA will receive $991,793 over three years as part of the catalytic financial investment from our national funding partner, Ballmer Group. The funding package consists of $13 million being allocated to 36 affiliates starting for the 2023-24 academic year and up to $165 million in a private, philanthropic commitment across the CIS network.

With this new funding, CISEasternPA will be able to expand into schools in four counties:

• Berks County

  • Antietam Area School District at Mount Penn Elementary School

  • Governor Mifflin School District at Governor Mifflin High School

  • Expanded middle school services at Brandywine Heights, Fleetwood and Kutztown Area School Districts

• Northampton County

  • Wilson Area School District at Wilson Area Intermediate School

• Lehigh County

  • Lincoln Leadership Academy

• Chester County

  • Avon Grove High School

  • Avon Grove Intermediate School

The Scaling for Success funding model is designed to catalyze local public and private investment through a 1:1 match requirement over the first three years and commitments to sustain the work long-term. This investment enables CIS, in partnership with school districts and local schools, to provide critical coordinated resources to students through a trained professional who can help connect them to supports and services needed to succeed in school.

"We are thrilled to be a part of this first cohort of CIS affiliates receiving Scaling for Success funding," said Tim Mulligan, president and CEO of CISEastern PA. “This will allow us to expand our footprint into Chester County and deepen our commitment in Lehigh, Northampton, and Berks counties. This investment expands our ability to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to succeed and create bright futures.”

Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2023, CISEasternPA impacts over 38,000 students annually. In the 2022-23 school year, 99% of their case-managed students stayed in school, and 89% of their students were promoted to the next grade. CISEasternPA targets the non-academic barriers that prevent students from succeeding in school and provides resources to address those issues.

With the increased presence of CIS nationwide, Title I schools are directly impacted through our proven evidence-based ISS model. This results in positive student success outcomes, increased attendance and engagement, and more students graduating from high school.

For more information, visit www.ciseasternpa.org.