Special Initiatives

In addition to our core services, CISDR offers a variety of initiatives and programs designed to address academic areas and subject matter of particular concern to our students.

Angel Tree
The CISDR Angel Tree Program is a seasonal initiative designed to raise funds and collect toys and gifts to ensure that more than 1,500 of the neediest children in the schools served by CISDR are not left without basics such as food, warm clothing, health and hygiene products, or gifts to open for the holidays.    

Bright Kids Literacy Programs
This phonics-based program addresses the literacy needs of at-risk students in first through third grades. Students in the Bright Kids Reading Literacy Program a paired with a volunteer tutor and meet one hour per week to strengthen their reading skills by focusing on letter and sound identification, writing skills and reading comprehension. The program also serves to increase parental involvement in their child's academic success by encouraging participation in school events and by providing regular progress reports.

Citi's Building Bridges to College and Career
The Citi Building Bridges to College and Career program is based on the successful CIS National Performance Learning Centers (PLC) curricula "Charting for Success" and will provide a streamlined, comprehensive curriculum of college and career access information for at-risk, as well as, create a college-going culture focused on life and education beyond high school. The Citi Building Bridges Program engages both parents and students in the planning and preparation for post-secondary education and/or training.  Through the "Charting for Success" curriculum's activities and events, the key steps for future academic and career success are addressed: academic preparation, college/career exploration, college financing, and financial literacy.

ExxonMobil GEMS (Girls Exploring Math and Science)
GEMS is a math, science and technology program offering unique classroom and experiential learning opportunities to strengthen girls’ interest and skills in these academic areas. Open to economically disadvantaged students in elementary and middle school, GEMS fosters increased confidence levels and enthusiasm for the subject matter, while introducing participants to programs of study and careers that require skills in these areas.

Leading Ladies Program
The Leading Ladies Program is a bullying prevention program developed specifically for girls. This program helps targets of bullying behavior appreciate and tap into their own inner-strengths and learn how to avoid being the target of bullies. The activities are tools that encourage kindness, empathy and acceptance. Featured methods to combat bullying include: changing negative thought patterns, erasing painful memories, looking for good in ourselves and others, seeing life like a bully and creating a personalized journal.

Math Can Take You Places
This program helps students in grades 4-6 build a solid foundation of algebra readiness skills. The materials target five key focus areas identified using data analysis of standardized test scores: equivalency, measurement, patterns, problem solving, and reasonableness. Students are actively engaged in exploring mathematics as they zoom through the cosmos with their travel guide – Rocket Kid. Students explore the importance of mathematics in real life by watching the Math Can Take You Places student video series, which investigates a variety of professions. Math Can Take You Places curriculum was developed by KERA and Travelocity, originally introduced in four (4) Texas ISDs and evaluated by the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD). Math Can Take You Places helps to better prepare Dallas region students for high school algebra and higher-level math..

Mobile Services Team
The Mobile Services Team works in tandem with campus staff to deliver targeted information in the areas of health and wellness, gang prevention and life skills. Programs are conducted in small-group settings at CISDR partner schools or from the agency’s 35-foot, custom-designed mobile unit housing two self-contained classrooms.

Student Community Partnership
The Student Community Partnership (SCP) provides summer internships to high school students allowing them to gain valuable real-world work experience. Participants receive pre-employment training to develop an understanding of the attitudes and behaviors necessary to gain and retain employment, utilize problem-solving techniques and strengthen communication skills.

Targeted Intervention Program
The Targeted Intervention Program (TIP) is targeted at 9th grade students at highest risk of dropping out in six (6) of the Dallas Independent School District’s lowest performing high schools: Thomas Jefferson, Spruce, Bryan Adams, Woodrow Wilson, Sunset and W. W. Samuell. CISDR professionals working with them through 12th grade graduation, providing traditional case management services using the Six Component model; Supportive Guidance, Health and Human Services, Parental and Family Involvement, Cultural Enrichment, Educational Enhancement (College Readiness), and pre-employment training (Career Preparation). 

Wachovia Building Leaders
This innovative program targeted at students in grades 4 and 5 develops strengths and assets in at-risk children to enable them to emerge as leaders in the middle and high school years. The program’s core curriculum centers on cultivating six pillars of character, including trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. Through experiential activities participants learn and practice leadership in a meaningful and authentic way. The program is coordinated through the CISDR corporate office for implementation in Houston, San Antonio, Austin and Dallas-area public schools.