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Safer Students, Stronger Schools?

The Safer Students, Stronger Schools (4S) campaign was created in 2018 as the organization’s approach to increasing mental health support for children and youth in the schools we serve, alongside expanding our case management services into additional schools. With a goal of $10M to raise by 2023, the eight-person Advisory Council and CIS Dallas staff are committed to this work, which provides prevention and intervention services for 10,000+ children and youth we serve.

Safer Students, Stronger Schools

4S Advisory Council Members

This campaign would not be possible without its leadership. We recognize our Advisory Council as our 4S Champions, who make these additional services and programs possible.

Brint Ryan, 4S Campaign Chair

  • Nancy Best
  • Froswa’ Booker-Drew, PhD
  • Sarah Losinger
  • Lynn McBee
  • Bob Mong
  • Paul Stephens
  • Madhukar Trivedi, M.D
  • Freddy Vaca
  • Gretchen Minyard Williams

4S Campaign Priorities

Expansion of Clinical Services

The 4S Campaign allows for the expansion of our team, development of curriculum, and delivery of prevention and intervention services. Led by our Chief Clinical Officer, a team of six will support our schools and districts, delivering training and responding to incidents that are immediate. This ensures our 10,000 students we serve will have direct access and prospective counseling by our licensed and trained staff.

Expansion of Case Management Services Into New Schools

CIS Dallas receives numerous requests to serve new schools and campuses, but without additional revenue, we are limited in our ability to respond. The 4S campaign will raise needed funds to expand our efforts into new schools and districts to ensure those that request our services may receive them. Our Site Coordinators, who case manage individual students and provide campus-wide activities and trainings, will provide support for the campus staff and counselors who need more support than ever to meet student needs.

Youth Mental Health First Aid

The relationship built and maintained between a Site Coordinator and their students is key to success — but students have to be referred to Communities In Schools before they join the program, and so it’s crucial we identify those students in need as early as possible. With Mental Health First Aid training, we train teachers, coaches and educators to identify the warning signs and causes of concern with their students. Those who have graduated from our evidence-based intervention training serve as a critical resource in our school community to identify students needing support.

Endowment Growth

Invest in the future of Communities In Schools as our leadership team focuses on broad expansion across North Texas, putting more Site Coordinators on more campuses to reach more students. Investment in the endowment allows the leadership team to focus on what really matters — our students.

Our students need your support. Please join us in making our schools the “safe place” our students need and deserve. Donate to help us continue expanding our services across the region.

4S In the Headlines

CIS Dallas partnered with other mental health focused groups for a mindfulness event at Klyde Warren Park for mental Illness awareness week.

October 7th, 2022

Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Summer Rose speaks with Shaun Rabb about the importance of youth mental health for Mental Illness Awareness Week 2022.

October 6, 2022

WFAA’s Cynthia Izaguirre interviews 4S Advisory Chairman, Brint Ryan, to highlight the importance of strong student support systems within public schools.

February 24th, 2022

CBS 11’s Erin Jones meets with Adam Powell and Curtisha Taylor to discuss the continued increase of youth mental health challenges across North Texas.

October 27th, 2021

Fox 4’s Shaun Rabb spoke with CEO, Adam Powell to discuss the rising prevalence of mental health concerns within K-12 schools.

October 14th, 2021

Straight From Our Blog: 4S and Mental Health Highlights

Why Safer Students, Stronger Schools is Crucial to the Success of Our Children

| 4S, Blog, Campaigns, Mental Health | No Comments
As students and teachers approach the halfway point of the school year, it is important for service organizations like CIS Dallas to pause, reflect, and evaluate the success of its…

Your Mental Health Matters Too: Caring For Yourself As A Parent, Caregiver, or Educator

| 4S, Blog, Mental Health | No Comments
Co-Authored By Stephanie McGary and Dr. Summer Rose Being “All In For Kids” can come at a heavy price … if you let it. At CIS Dallas, we focus a…

A Guide To Building Healthy Relationships With “Our Friends Place” & Disney

| Blog, Mental Health, Training | No Comments
Libby’s Guide to Disney’s Guide to Healthy Relationships  Authored By: Libby Woolverton, Our Friends Place When I think about some of the best lessons I ever learned growing up, the…

A Mental Health Reminder For Young Athletes & Their Loved Ones

| Blog, Mental Health | No Comments
As we approach the end of the 2022 Winter Olympic games, and celebrate, or lament the outcome of Super Bowl LVI (depending on where your true loyalties lie), I am…

The impact this group is making on the students they serve is tremendous … Raising this money allows [Communities In Schools] to have a presence in more schools, and in turn, reach more students who need help in the Dallas area.

Brint Ryan, 4S Campaign ChairFounder, Chairman and CEO Ryan LLC