Strategic Plan
2025-2028
At Communities In Schools of Michigan, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to succeed in school and in life. That conviction guided us through an extensive and thoughtful strategic planning process over the past year—one that engaged our staff, board, students, families, partners, and community supporters in shaping the future of our organization.
Together, we took a hard look at where we are today and where we aspire to be. Through impact assessments, stakeholder interviews, staff and board surveys, focus groups, and research on best practices, we created a clear roadmap for how CIS of Michigan will deepen its impact in the years ahead.
This plan is rooted in the voices of those we serve and those who walk alongside us. Our Student Support Coordinators shared candidly about the challenges and opportunities they see in schools across the state. Families and students told us what support means to them. Partners and donors reflected on what they value most about our mission. And our board and staff helped chart a vision that keeps equity, relationships, and student success at the center.
The result is a set of strategic priorities and objectives that will guide our work and hold us accountable to measurable outcomes. These priorities are more than goals on paper—they are our collective promise to Michigan’s students: that we will innovate, adapt, and lead with compassion to ensure every child has the supports they need to thrive.
I am deeply grateful to everyone who contributed their time, insight, and passion to this process. Your voices shaped a vision that is bold, grounded, and achievable. As we move forward, I invite you to read through our strategic priorities and join us in making this vision a reality. Together, we will build stronger schools, stronger communities, and brighter futures for Michigan’s young people.
With gratitude and determination,
Mallory DePrekel, CIS of Michigan CEO
Who We Are
Communities In Schools of Michigan is part of the national CIS network, working to ensure every student has what they need to succeed in school and beyond. We operate inside schools across Michigan, connecting students to caring adults, resources, and community support to overcome barriers and build brighter futures.
Join us in creating lasting change for Michigan students.
-
Our Mission
Communities In Schools of Michigan surrounds students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.
-
Our Vision
Communities In Schools of Michigan envisions all students having a supportive community that fosters academic and personal growth, empowering them to thrive and define their own success.
-
Our North Star
Communities In Schools fuels personal potential, so every student can take charge of their story and define their success for life.
Connecting Students, Schools, and Communities
There is an urgent need to respond to the state of our schools, which are experiencing deep levels of decline across multiple measures. Schools are expected to connect students to the supports and services they need to achieve inside and outside of the classroom. However, schools are not equipped with the staff or systems to meet this growing demand for whole-child supports.
This is what CIS is built for. We make those connections.
When CIS is present inside schools, we work with other support staff to bring in community resources and partners to help meet the needs of the school and of students and families. We do this through the work of our student support coordinators, who have access to local resources and partners to address local needs. We take this on so school administrators can focus on running the school and teachers can focus on teaching.
“CIS of Michigan brings the critical value of access and connection. We bridge schools, families, and community resources in a way that is organized, intentional, and student-centered. Embedding caring adults directly into schools, we remove barriers to learning and give students a real chance to thrive, not just academically, but emotionally and socially. CIS doesn’t just serve students—it strengthens entire communities by building resilience, hope, and opportunity from the inside out.”
- CIS Staff
How We Do It: The CIS Model - Integrated Student Supports
Discover Needs
Through conversations with teachers and students—alongside robust data analysis—CIS student support coordinators identify the biggest challenges facing schools and individual students.
1.
Plan Together
CIS student support coordinators work with school administrators and educators to develop a plan that prioritizes the various academic and non-academic supports that meet students' needs.
2.
Integrate Supports
CIS Student support coordinators work with school teams every day to integrate the supports identified in the planning process. That’s how CIS becomes an integral part of a school community and students’ lives.
3.
Monitor, Evaluate, and Adjust
CIS student support coordinators work with schools to continuously monitor student and school progress, using the data and feedback to optimize results. Continuous assessment of partners and student supports helps us increase our impact.
4.
Our Theory of Change and Implementation Strategies
Click for full size image
Strategy One
Build relationships with families, school staff, and community partners
Strategy Two
Identify the specific needs of students and schools through a needs assessment, set specific goals, and develop a detailed support plan
Strategy Three
Implement the Integrated Student Supports model and diverse support categories
Strategy Four
Broker and provide referrals for resources outside of school
Strategy Five
Place individuals in schools who have deep knowledge and commitment to the community and have the mindsets to work with youth successfully
Strategy Six
Place individuals in schools who have deep knowledge and commitment to the community and have the mindsets to work with youth successfully
Strategy Seven
Measure our goals with data input and analysis and monitor and adjust supports
Our Key Priorities and Objectives
-
Accelerate Programs & Partnerships to Enhance Student Impact
-
Amplify Our Presence & Reputation
-
Build Sustainability
-
Invest in a Supportive Organization Culture
-
Championing Systems Change for Michigan Students