Our History

For nearly 40 years, Communities In Schools has been helping students achieve in school, graduate and go on to bright futures. Our mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. The Story of Communities In Schools began in the 1970s in Atlanta, GA, when Founder, Bill Milliken, came up with the idea of bringing community resources inside public schools – where they are accessible, coordinated and accountable.

“It’s relationships, not programs, that change children,” Bill once said. “A great program simply creates the environment for healthy relationships to form between adults and children. Young people thrive when adults care about them on a one-to-one level, and when they also have a sense of belonging to a caring community.”

And that’s exactly what Communities In Schools does. Today, we are the nation’s largest and most effective organization dedicated to keeping kids in school and helping them succeed in life. Our unique model positions site coordinators inside schools to assess student’s needs and provide resources to help them succeed in the classroom and in life. We partner with local businesses, social service agencies, health care providers and volunteers. Whether it’s food, school supplies, health care, counseling, academic assistance or a positive role model, Communities In Schools is there to help.

Communities In Schools of Georgia in Henry County is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, and an affiliate of Communities In Schools. CIS Henry was formed in 2012 to address the growing number of high school dropouts in the county. As the premier evidence/research-based expert in K-12 academic, social and behavioral intervention services, CIS Henry’s professional staff provide direct services as well as connect community resources to schools and students in a coordinated, caring and cost-effective way. CIS Henry serves “at-risk” students who are in danger of dropping out of high school for various reasons, including lacking basic needs in order to succeed in the classroom.