March 20, 2024 edition

Share appreciation and gratitude for a fellow CIS employee. Giving a shout out is a great way to recognize an individual or group for their extra effort and talent, and to contribute to a culture of appreciation, community, and kindness.  

Nominate someone for Employee Excellence. Click here for the form and here to learn about employee recognition & appreciation at CIS of Central Texas. 

SXSWedu: CIS Welcomes National Education Leaders

Cheers to harnessing the power of relationships to support schools and students!

CEO Sharon Vigil welcomed Department of Education Deputy Secretary Cindy Marten, Austin ISD and national partners to Govalle Elementary School during SXSWedu to learn how CIS supports student success.

“Students have real lives—and real needs. Many of our students and their families have a hard time accessing and navigating the maze of public and private services that are available to them,” Sharon said. “Our campus-based program managers bring community resources into schools. We stand by our students in classrooms and every facet of their lives. By addressing their basic needs, nurturing their mental well-being and dismantling barriers, we create safe and supportive environments that empower them to stay in school, graduate and succeed in life.”

AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith and CIS National President Rey Saldaña joined the visit to the East Austin school community.

Interested in learning more? Check out our partners’ collaborative press release, as well as the Austin-American Statesman’s photos and story.

Click to answer questionnaire

I See You Recognition:

Finance (Coralei Brown, Nana O'Masta, Zach Warling)

 pictured with CEO Sharon Vigil

Our "I See You" recognition is a beacon that shines brightly upon teams whose collective efforts redefine the possibilities of teamwork, transforming aspirations into remarkable achievements.

This month, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Finance and Accounting Department. Despite being short-staffed, their dedication and unwavering commitment have not only met but exceeded expectations. Their exemplary teamwork has been nothing short of inspiring.

Embracing innovation, the Finance and Accounting team boldly implemented new technologies, revolutionizing finance and communication within our organization. Through their initiative, they've streamlined processes and enhanced efficiency, setting a new standard for excellence.

Their leadership has been pivotal, guiding us through funder audits with grace and precision. Their expertise and diligence have ensured compliance and reinforced our reputation for financial integrity.

Moreover, the Finance and Accounting team's collaborative spirit has been instrumental in co-leading the Mid-Year Budget process. Their seamless coordination and tireless efforts have empowered us to navigate fiscal challenges with confidence.

Beyond their professional accomplishments, it's their unwavering support and camaraderie that truly distinguishes them. In every interaction and initiative, they embody the essence of teamwork, inspiring others to strive for greatness.

CISCT Job Openings

Visit our Career Page: https://ciscentraltexas.org/career-opportunities/ for a complete list of career opportunities.

SB 4 Bill- Immigration Law

Shout out to Karin Florez in Care Coordination for sharing this information. Please click the links below to learn more.

• Printable Texas Travel Advisory Map
• English Flyer
• Spanish Flyer
• PDF- Recent Updates
• Article- provided for context

Mental Health and Wellness Department Updates

Reminder: Art in Therapy for Children and Adolescents, Advanced Training

Registration is in Auzmor for Wednesday 3/20/24 10-12 pm at Central. 

For more information related to LGBTQIA+ belonging, and how schools can support

»Part 1 of the Trans 101 Workshop Series - Foundations of Knowledge & Action

»Part 2 of the Trans 101 Workshop Series - Working with Families of Trans & Non-Binary Youth

»Rising Practices & Policies in our Workforce, Session 2: Interrupting Bullying & Fostering Belonging for the Youth and Young Adult Mental Health Workforce

»Rising Practices & Policies in our Workforce, Session 3: Interrupting Bullying & Fostering Belonging for the School Mental Health Workforce

Want a quick way to explain the connection between healthy eating and good mental health? Use this engaging brochure, created by one of our nurse practitioner interns, Crystal Guy!

PRINCIPAL REPORT GUIDANCE FOR GP3

Please review the guidance here for how to generate GP3 Principal Reports, including an updated due date schedule. 23-24 GP3 Principal Report Guidance.docx

CAMPUS FEEDBACK SURVEY REDESIGN WORKSHOP

Help us redesign the Campus Staff Feedback Survey to align with the new versions of the Student and Family Feedback Surveys! Sign up for one of two redesign workshops on Tuesday, March 26th, at either 12:00pm or 2:00pm. Register on Auzmor today! Lunch will be served!

APOLLO 201: REPORTS & DASHBOARDS TRAINING 

Itching to learn reports and dashboards? Need a refresher on bulk service deliveries? Spring 2024 - Apollo Training Session List.pdf for a flyer that shows all the Apollo training dates for the rest of the school year! Sign-ups are available now on Auzmor for these monthly training events.

ONGOING RESOURCES & SUPPORTS 

• PMD Office Hours are Mondays 3-4pm and Fridays 8-9am via Teams. 
• Read the Inactivation Guide - it will set you up for success as you request inactivations for students rolling off caseload.
• Read the Closeout Guide - it will set you up for success this summer!
• Email [email protected] if you need support, have questions, or have a feature request/suggestion. 
• Apollo FAQs.docx is a document that contains answers to commonly asked questions. PMD updates this on a weekly basis. 
• Video Walkthrough Links.docx is a list of common Apollo functions (everything covered in 101/102 and then some!) 
• PMD Apple Updates Archive.docx is a new document that lists out all of PMD's Apple updates for the year! Thanks for bearing with us as we streamline our communications. 

Communication Department

CCMR Department Updates and Resources

Resources

Charlie Health is a high-acuity mental health provider. Their guide to suicide prevention is “designed to help people better understand how to discuss suicide and know when and how to seek mental health services.”

THE AUSTIN ECLIPSE

Bring your beach chairs and the kids!

We're having a picnic in our Batey!

7th annual PICNIC, RITMO y BAILE

& CULTURAL WORKSHOP EXPERIENCE

Special Guests from Puerto Rico, West Africa & Taino of Borikén

Sunday, April 7, 2024

FREE EVENT - Donations appreciated!

SCHEDULE:

11-1pm: Cultural Workshops from West Africa & Puerto Rico (BOMBA!)

2-5pm: Interactive OUTDOOR Picnic with live music & dance!

BRING YOUR BEACH CHAIRS & THE KIDS! Come dance with us under the Pecan Trees of our Batey! From 11-1pm there will be music, dance, and cultural workshops from West Africa & Puerto Rico (BOMBA!). From 2-5pm, our interactive outdoor event will feature live traditional music from West Africa, Puerto Rico, and Taino from Borikén.

YES! BRING YOUR MARACA! There will be Areyto -- Taino music and dance for all!

Special guests include:

* Tata Cepeda, bringing Bomba Puertorriqueña with 3 generations of the Cepeda Family direct from Puerto Rico!

* Lannaya, West African Drum & Dance Ensemble, bringing Masters direct from West Africa!

* Kacike Tekina-eirú, Tribal Chief of Yukayeke Yara Cu, leading Taino Areyto, interactive ceremonial dance.

* And our Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance performing company!

This event is part of our series - Celebrando Heritage Project 2024 - Madre Patria Africa including:

* 7th Picnic Ritmo y Baile & Cultural Workshop Experience (April 5)

https://www.facebook.com/events/1445074183034566

* Celebrando 2024 - Salsa & Heritage Festival (June 9)

https://www.facebook.com/events/1401235027450674

Two Winners will be announced in next week's edition:

Langford AmeriCorps member, Alia Solarz, working on her Service Learning Project with students. The students interviewed the head custodian to learn more about the needs of the campus and recruited classmates to participate in a campus beautification project. The students were very motivated to clean the grounds and enjoyed working together and making an impact on their community.

Sierra and Amanda went to their first national Salesforce conference to learn all about AI and automation!

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