Communities in Schools to Expand Services in Kutztown Area School District

Communities in Schools of Eastern Pennsylvania (CISEasternPA) will expand services in the Kutztown Area School District in the 2022-23 academic year. The school district earmarked funds from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund for the next two years due to an increase in the need for services in social-emotional resources in their schools.

Over the past year and a half, Communities in Schools served Kutztown, Fleetwood, and Brandywine middle schools through a partnership with Kutztown Strong. The Kutztown Area School District saw such great success at the middle school level, that they will be expanding CISEasternPA services into Kutztown Area High School this year.

CISEasternPA site coordinators work cooperatively with school district administrators as well as guidance counselors and teachers to determine which students would benefit from the services that are offered. Site coordinators meet directly with students or in small groups to develop a positive relationship with a caring adult. Site coordinators also provide basic needs resources like food, toiletries, or clothing to students and families in need. They also provide connections to physical and mental health services in the community.

Last school year, site coordinators led several school-wide initiatives in Berks county schools. Some successful programs included an attendance campaign that rewarded students with free Italian Ice for improved attendance and a family painting night.

Kutztown Area School District administration remarked that they saw an increase in attendance, grades, and a downward trend in disciplinary referrals for the middle school students who participated in direct services.