AUSTIN, Texas - Feb. 24, 2021 - In the wake of last week's winter storm emergency, Communities In Schools of Central Texas (CIS) mobilized to provide immediate and direct assistance to students and families impacted by the storm. CIS Program Managers started reaching out to their students even while campuses were closed last week. During this crisis, CIS connects students and families with community resources, provides direct emergency assistance, coordinates with local restaurants and community groups to have meals delivered, and provides water and non-perishable food items to those without access.
Once power was restored in Central Texas, families were left to deal with a range of challenges, including burst pipes and damaged homes, lost wages, spoiled food, loss of mattresses and personal items due to flooding, and lack of access to water. Many students are not able to return home because of water damage. Communities In Schools of Central Texas has distributed $105,250 in direct assistance to 469 families to meet immediate basic needs. Food and water are being deployed to CIS students and families in seven area school districts this week – Austin, Bastrop, Elgin, Hays, Lockhart, Manor and San Marcos.
"Now that the lights are back on, many Central Texas families remain in survival mode as they struggle to access food and water, and deal with the aftermaths of last week's winter storm," says Suki Steinhauser, CEO of Communities In Schools of Central Texas. "We hear from parents who were unable to work and lost wages, who had to throw out spoiled food, those who are dealing with burst pipes and cleanup, and families who are facing food insecurity. It is important that we come together as a community to meet the immediate needs of families so that students can return to school ready to engage and learn."
School-based CIS Program Managers bring community resources into schools to provide access for students and their families. They assist in navigating available public and private supports, connecting resources with the schools and students that need them the most. More about winter storm recovery efforts and how to help is online.
About Communities In Schools of Central Texas
Communities In Schools of Central Texas (CIS) works directly inside PK-12 schools full time in partnership with teachers and administrators to address immediate student needs. The mission of Communities In Schools is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. The organization serves 96 Central Texas schools in seven school districts (Austin, Bastrop, Elgin, Hays, Lockhart, Manor, and San Marcos) with services ranging from mental health counseling to crisis intervention, basic needs assistance, mentoring, and academic intervention.
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