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CIS of Greater Tarrant County Is Present for More Students and Families with New Center for Student Support

Oct. 17, 2025 #AllinforKids Integrated Student Supports (ISS)

With each new school year, the Communities In Schools® (CIS ®) network continues to grow into more school districts. Investments in CIS programming and our proven model enable affiliates to meet the growing needs of their communities by expanding services to more students. 

Communities In Schools of Greater Tarrant County (CIS GTC) recently celebrated the opening of its new Center for Student Support. A longtime dream of the organization, the new center is expected to transform the community and improve the lives of students and families, offering various resources and services to the community, including a training center, a mental health counseling center, and a fresh food pantry. 

The organization’s ability to serve students has expanded over the past 30 years, growing from just 200 students in Fort Worth schools to more than 40,000 across 80 schools in 11 school districts. Leadership knew they needed to expand to meet the increased need. 

The team at CIS of Greater Tarrant County got to work, conducting a feasibility study and researching a fundraising strategy that would ensure the best outcome for such a large-scale project. 

In 2023, Communities In Schools of Greater Tarrant County officially launched the #AllInForKids capital campaign, a $5.5 million initiative to develop a permanent home and hub of support for school-based staff, as well as CIS students and their families.

The completion of the #AllInForKids capital campaign represents a collaborative effort of over 100 individuals, corporations, and foundations coming together to achieve one purpose—the deepening of wraparound support services for our area’s most vulnerable students and families. The Center for Student Support will be a vital lifeline for the 11 school districts that we serve and will strengthen our organization in ways not yet imagined. We are excited for everything to come.

-Rachel Kreidler, Chief Development Officer, CIS of Greater Tarrant County

The new Center for Student Support also represents a victory for staff. The center will serve as a new headquarters for staff, providing additional space for meetings with students and community members. The organization is also committed to supporting the development of its staff by investing in a training and enrichment center to allow for community trainings for teachers, educators, and the community, as well as professional development opportunities for CIS team members.  

There is a significant need for increased mental health and wellness programming. At the new center, there will be space exclusively dedicated to free year-round counseling for students and their families, including after-school work hours, as well as weekends. With this expansion of services, CIS GTC is better equipped to serve families who lack the flexibility to attend sessions during school or who don’t have access to a CIS clinician at their campus. The mental health counseling center will also offer services to teachers and school staff.   

The Center’s opening also marks the start of an exciting new partnership with Tarleton State University. As part of the Purple Counseling & Wellness Clinic, students from Tarleton’s master's and doctoral programs will receive training and experience as future social workers. 

We are absolutely thrilled this day has come. This new center makes services more accessible than ever, and we believe this convenience and our specialized support will be instrumental in achieving our growth and reaching more students and their families.

-Lindsey Garner, CEO, CIS of Greater Tarrant County

Just in time for the back-to-school season, CIS of Greater Tarrant County staff hosted a housewarming event to kick off the moving process into the new center. In partnership with Texas Health Community Hope, the Center will operate a Good For You Healthy Hub food pantry to serve families experiencing food insecurity. The Center also features Clifton’s Closet, a clothing room stocked with apparel for pre-K through 12th grade, as well as the Atmos Energy Supply Station, which will equip students with all the necessary tools to succeed in the classroom. 

A grand opening celebration was held on Sept. 24. During the ceremony, local leaders, educational partners, and city officials joined CIS GTC site coordinators and students to celebrate the organization’s enhanced ability to serve the community.

The new CIS GTC Center for Student Support is designed to be more than an office location. It represents a robust network of support. Each aspect of the new center has been carefully curated to meet the needs of students and their families, once again reflecting CIS’ commitment to being present for students and the importance of wrap-around supports, ensuring that students can thrive in the classroom and in their communities. 

 

Learn more about CIS of Greater Tarrant County

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