Training for the Year Ahead- Summer Institute

Jackye Clayton, Board President of CIS-HOT, presenting
Navigating Crucial Conversations with Confidence

Each year during the last week of July, Communities In Schools of the Heart of Texas gathers for Summer Institute, a week dedicated to learning, collaboration, and preparation for the year ahead. With many of our site coordinators and career coaches serving on campuses across the region, this time together is a valuable opportunity to reconnect as a team and strengthen the work we do for students.

While our field staff make supporting students look effortless, there is a great deal of intention, planning, and expertise behind that work. Throughout the week, staff participated in professional development sessions led by guest speakers who shared valuable insights on topics including crisis management, technology safety, family engagement, and more.

As the new school year begins, our CIS-HOT staff are energized and ready to provide meaningful support to students and families across our local school districts.

In addition to training sessions, the team spent a day connecting with community partners who help make our work possible. These organizations provide essential services and resources for students and families, and our site coordinators play a key role in connecting those who need support with the right resources.

We are incredibly grateful to the nonprofit organizations and agencies that took the time to meet with our staff and share information about the important services they offer.

Thank You to Our Community Resource Partners and guest speakers

  • The Advocacy Center

  • Caritas of Waco

  • The Cove

  • Family Abuse Center

  • Grassroots Community Development

  • H.O.P.E.S. Waco

  • Klara's Center for Families

  • Heart of Texas Behavioral Health Network

  • McLennan County AgriLife Extension

  • Mission Waco

  • Transformation Waco

  • Waco Public Health District

  • Jackye Clayton, CIS-HOT Board Chair, and VP of Talent Acquisition

  • Dawn Wible, Founder of Talk More. Tech Less.

  • Hermann Pereira, CISD Public Relations and Strategic Partnerships Coordinator

  • Andre Watkins, Waco ISD

  • Travis Cheatham, Routing Supervisor, Waco ISD

  • John Warren, Methodist Children’s Home

  • Christy Freeman, Waco ISD

  • Carrie Christianson and Madison Reyna, Mental Health Care and Self-Care

The success of Communities In Schools is built on strong partnerships and a shared commitment to helping students succeed. Whether through volunteering, donating, providing resources, or collaborating with schools, community members play a vital role in supporting young people and their families.

If your organization is interested in becoming a resource for students and schools in the Waco area and surrounding communities, we would love to connect with you. We are always looking to expand our network of community partners and available resources. To learn more about getting involved, please contact info@cis-hot.org and we will contact you!

Keeli McNair