Nonprofit expands to help record number of Houston-area students

The nonprofit Communities In Schools of Houston (CIS) expanded this school year to help a record 125,000 students.

CIS has student support specialists on campuses in Houston Independent School District, Spring Branch ISD, Alief ISD, Aldine ISD, Fort Bend ISD and Lone Star College. These counselors are embedded in schools year-round to break down any barrier to student well-being and help educators create school cultures where it's OK to reach out for help.

New this year, CIS is launching a mobile mental health team to further meet students' acute mental health needs.

"Whether a student is struggling with a recent loss, is a victim of violence, is homeless, or dealing with other forms of trauma or any number of pressing issues, the CIS Mobile Mental Health Team—comprised of licensed mental health providers—will work closely with Student Support Specialists and educators at select HISD schools to provide intensive mental health support to those students who need it most," a news announcement states.

Aside from about 160 Houston-area elementary, middle and high schools, CIS is now at Lone Star College-East Aldine and Lone Star College-Fairbanks Houston North, bringing the total to eight college campuses served by CIS of Houston. More are on the way.

"The number of campuses requesting additional CIS mental health support doubled this year," CIS of Houston CEO Lisa Descant said. "As the demand for these critical support services in schools continues to increase, Communities In Schools of Houston will continue to do whatever it takes to identify and provide—at a moment's notice—needed support to students who may be struggling through issues on their own."