June 21, 2023 edition

Shout Outs

• Shout out to Jose for your willingness to lend a hand and help out. You are appreciated!
• Shout out to the PMD team for all the hard work you are putting in during closeout! Thank you for your good work to make closeout a success.
• Welcome to our newest Central Office team members! Welcome to the CIS Operations Team Kelly Paulémon, Director of Communications, and April Clark, Central Office Manager! Welcome Burel Ford, Professional Development & DEI Coordinator, to the HR team! Welcome Zachary Warling, Payroll Specialist, to Finance! We're glad you are here!
• Shout out to Madison for helping me create a test website for our new Board Portal project. That was sooo helpful. I appreciate you!
• Huge shout out to Shane Castro for bringing his talent and master chef skills to our XY- Zone student activities. We thank you for providing our boys with delicious meals!! The entire XY- Zone team have faced many obstacles this school year and have been consistently advocating for equity and best practices to have the tools and support to support your students. You are seen and greatly valued by your team! 
• Thank you Adriana, Mario, and Aimez, for hosting an awesome transition event at Decker Middle School! The students appreciate the continuing support, and they had fun too!!
• Shout out to Jordan, Jena, Sara M. and Lindsey for joining the College and Career Success Department for our first ever summer programming days! Thank you!
• Shout out to John Sanchez! He's doing an amazing job of navigating 2 districts and building strong relationships within all campuses. He's doing such a great job of partnering and holding space to discuss CIS throughout the community that LISD is expanding to 2 new campuses!! Way to go John! 

Program Leadership Update

Chief Program Officer Jerry Roberts will not be returning to his role with us. We wish Jerry all the best. Karen Gonzalez will be transitioning back to her role as Program Officer effective this week. Please join me in saying thank you to Karen for filling in as the Interim CPO, and for her leadership during this transition period. Dorothy and Sara will begin reporting directly to me effective next week. We will repost the CPO position in early July.

 – Sharon Vigil, CEO

CIS Workplace Essentials Pathways (Auzmor)

Again? Yes. All employees are required to complete both CIS Workplace Essentials pathways in Auzmor annually. All employees hired before Sept. 1, 2022 have been assigned 2023 CIS Workplace Essentials and have recently received an email letting them know the pathways have been assigned. Campus- and community-based employees must complete both pathways before leaving for summer vacation/break. All other employees must complete the pathways no later than July 31, 2023.

Employees who started with CIS after Aug. 1, 2022, and have successfully completed these pathways as part of their employee onboarding, are not required to complete them again at this time.  

These pathways provide information about CIS policies, procedures, processes and individual/supervisor/organization roles and responsibilities in several important areas. Reviewing them once a year is required so everyone shares understanding of agency policy and is reminded about procedures and processes. Path 1 contains essential courses about equal employment, discrimination, harassment, accommodations, and ADA. Path 2 contains essential courses about workplace safety, worker’s comp, and our employee assistance program. 

In The Know

If you missed last week’s In the Know, you can find a recording of the event in Members Only: S:\Shared Folders\Members Only Documents\Communication Resources\Video Archive

Neighborhood Centers

The Neighborhood Centers provide emergency rent, utility and food assistance to low- and moderate-income families in need. We are not currently accepting rent and utility appointments. 

**Para leer esta pagina en Espanol, oprima el boton “translate” en la pagina. El boton esta en la parte superior de la pagina, a la derecha 

www.austintexas.gov 

Home | AustinTexas.gov

Click here for Free Health Screenings and here for Fresh for Less information.

CISCT Job Corner

The Internal Hiring flyer has been expanded to include guidance, what to expect in the internal hiring process, links to new internally advertised positions and more. Please note interview dates appearing on this guide may change based on availability. If you have questions about the process please contact Yreen at [email protected]. Click here to read the updated Internal Staff hiring guide.

New Internal Job Postings (click on the link to view posting): 

• Program Director for Campus-Based Services

New positions have been added to our career board. We will continue to add new positions throughout the summer. Contact Yreen at [email protected] if you have questions about any of the open positions or questions about our interview and hiring process.

Click Here to visit our Career board for a complete list of open positions.

Click here to read the Internal Hiring Procedure

Thursday June 22nd at 10am.

Register at tiny.cc/evictiontraining [tiny.cc]

*This training is for case managers and social workers and others working with clients. If you would like to coordinate a training or tabling for the folks you work with, shoot me a separate email to see what we can do.

Apollo Sneak Peek Video

Prepare for take off! Check out our Apollo Sneak Peek video that highlights 3 awesome features and a word from a special guest. Apollo officially launches August 7th!

Apollo Training Plan

Curious about what Apollo and data training looks like? Check out our CBS Data Training & Support One-Pager!

Closeout FAQs

 Click Here for the Closeout FAQ and Resources

PMD Support & Resources

• Come to Office Hours on Fridays from 2:00-3:00pm
• Join the Performance Measures Team Channel for previously shared guidance, resources, and real time FAQs
• Email [email protected] to request support or CIS-NAV changes

CIS AmeriCorps Alums and Members: You can earn a $250 gift card by referring someone to CIS AmeriCorps! If someone applies and is hired to serve in our program based on your referral, you’ll be eligible to receive a $250 reward, and are able to earn up to two rewards. Referral rewards will be provided through AmeriCorps Central Texas and will be available until August 1 or until funds run out. This referral incentive applies to anyone who is a CIS AmeriCorps Member or Alum, including those who are current CIS staff members. If you have referred someone or plan to, reach out to Sara at [email protected] for more details

SAFA Department Updates

SAFA & Plus 1 Updates

A huge thank you to everyone who has worked through our first year of being a Plus 1 Partner with Austin Energy. We have learned a lot and supported over 55 families with valuable utility assistance! We have successfully disbursed $30,000 to CIS families. As a result, SAFA is unable to accept additional requests for Plus 1 support. 

If you have families that need utility assistance, please refer them to other Plus 1 Partners in the community. The link to open Plus 1 Partners has been provided via email.



SAFA Reminders:

The last day to submit assistance will be Friday, June 23^rd at 10 am. This assistance will be ready for pick-up or courier delivery on Friday, June 30^th. 

We have a supply of body wash and toothpaste that can be distributed to families to support them during summer break.  

Calling all Campus Based Program Staff: 

What: Austin Energy Resource Guide Training

When: Tuesday, June 27^th, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Where: Austin Energy Headquarters - 4815 Mueller Blvd, Austin, Texas, 78723.

Required Registration: Complete through the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/V3CZST9. Austin Energy requests that all interested parties register for this training to assist them with coordination and planning of this event. Once registered and as they approach their training, Austin Energy will provide communication associated to parking.

The Resource Guide training is provided to help Plus 1 partner agencies gain a better understanding of the City of Austin utility programming, operations, and processes. Austin Energy recommends that those who work directly with clients participate in this training. Snacks and drinks are provided!

Please reach out to Barbara Terracina with any questions

The winner of the Apple drawing for a Subway gift card is

Brianna Gonzalez!

End of the Year XY- Zone Retreat!

Program Manager Gracy Lopez makes matching tees for Summer Programming!

Langford ES summer camp students on their way to explore the Thinkery.

Students and staff from Lively MS, Manor HS, Northeast ECHS, Travis ECHS, and CIS alum joined the College and Career Success department for tours of Huston-Tillotson, Concordia University, St. Edward’s University, and ACC-Riverside to learn about their ASL Interpretation and Automotive programs. 

Lockhart Team Summer Mixtape Coming Soon!

The Lockhart Team held a successful family water night with 15 families at ABS in Dale Texas-June 9th. AmC member Nathan Radmall does some Pinata training 101 and enjoys "Sliding" into summer. XY Zone member Jose Sanchez AKA El Mariachi summer bargain shopping and Kids enjoying Pinata time. (About this collage)

Akins High School program manager Asia Eblen with her students on a field trip to Westgate lanes.

Akins High School students on a field trip at Dave and Busters. 

Communities In Schools of Central Texas surrounds students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.