The Community Wisdom Project Mobilizes Authentic Community Voices to Shape Policy
The Community Wisdom Project (CWP) is a bold approach to designing policy based on real community experience.
As of March 2026, nearly 175 individuals have contributed their authentic personal accounts, called “stories,” to the CWP. Communities In Schools is taking our communities' voices directly to policymakers and sector leaders across the country, supplying them with the wisdom they need to make smart decisions.
Key Insights & Implications
Together, these stories reveal five patterns that point to potential policy implications for CIS and the field. They also confirm what decades of research has proven: Communities In Schools creates opportunities for students to change the trajectory of their lives.
Relationships
The relationship is key; meaningful help comes from a trusted individual who is dependable and present, not from disembodied programs or systems.
💡What if we were to invest in people over systems to reach students?
Basic Needs
School attendance and academics are an afterthought until basic needs are met.
💡What if we were to invest in removing barriers to attendance as the first step to spurring achievement?
Hierarchy of Needs
Stories reveal the importance of support beyond basic and across the hierarchy of needs – safety, love and belonging, esteem, and self-actualization.
💡What if we were to invest in integrated student supports to prepare students for the future?
Proactive Support
Help is most powerful when it is offered proactively and with dignity, especially for those who are often overlooked or ignored by society.
💡What if we were to invest in proactive solutions to keep challenges from becoming catastrophic and costly?
Opportunity
Meeting students’ needs leads to academic achievement, opportunity, and broader community advancement.
💡What if we were to invest in student support to build workforce and advance community development?
Get Involved
This is just the beginning. We're eager to collaborate with leaders and decisionmakers across education to forge new ways of doing policy, with community voice at the center.
What if you were to join us? Choose how you'd like to get involved below.
The CWP Way
Our CWP Partners
Thank you to the CIS Network that are elevating their community's voices through the Community Wisdom Project.
CIS of Atlanta
CIS of Benton-Franklin
CIS of Blue Mountain Region
CIS of Brunswick County
CIS of Central Texas
CIS of Central Washington
CIS of Charlotte-Mecklenburg
CIS of Chesterfield
CIS of Benton-Franklin
CIS of Blue Mountain Region
CIS of Brunswick County
CIS of Central Texas
CIS of Central Washington
CIS of Charlotte-Mecklenburg
CIS of Chesterfield
CIS of Delaware
CIS of Gulf South
CIS of High Point
CIS of Indiana
CIS of Lakewood
CIS of Michigan
CIS of Montgomery County
CIS of Nevada
CIS of Gulf South
CIS of High Point
CIS of Indiana
CIS of Lakewood
CIS of Michigan
CIS of Montgomery County
CIS of Nevada
CIS of North Carolina
CIS of North Texas
CIS of Rocky Mount Region
CIS of San Antonio
CIS of South Carolina
CIS of Southern Nevada
CIS of Thomasville
CIS of Washington
CIS of Whatcom-Skagit
CIS of North Texas
CIS of Rocky Mount Region
CIS of San Antonio
CIS of South Carolina
CIS of Southern Nevada
CIS of Thomasville
CIS of Washington
CIS of Whatcom-Skagit
