CIS In-School Mentoring Initiative

This grant program is authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5) (the 'Recovery Act'). Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention made awards to support local organizations that develop, implement, or expand local mentoring programs leading to measurable, positive outcomes for at-risk youth. This program furthers the Department's mission by enhancing the capacity of local mentoring programs to develop and implement mentoring strategies to reduce juvenile delinquency and prevent violence.

Communities in Schools of the Heart of Texas (CIS-HOT) proposes to provide one-on-one adult mentoring to children ages 10 - 17 years old. Proposed services are offered to children who are determined ¯ 'at-risk' are as defined by the Texas Education Agency and reside in McLennan County. The one-hour a week, one-on-one mentoring activities will be school-based and take place in the child's school located in Waco ISD or LaVega ISD, and at the Axtel ISD School located at Waco Center for Youth's Residential Treatment Center. CIS-HOT, with support from the area's faith-based communities, Baylor University, McLennan Community College (MCC), Texas State Technical College (TSTC), and the business community, seeks o mentor 150 new matches of children each year for four years totaling 600 youth. In Waco ISD, 75 students will be served, 25 in LaVega ISD, and 25 in Axtell ISD located on Waco Center for Youth's campus.

This award will retain one part-time and one full-time job; thus the project achieves the Recovery Act objective of promoting economic recovery by preserving or creating jobs. CA/NCF