Programs Offered

Communities In Schools of the Laurel Highlands Inc., (CISLH) is a local non-profit agency that has been in existence since late 1999. CISLH serves youth and adolescents through after school programs in 5 school districts: Blacklick Valley, Cambria Heights, Central Cambria, Penn Cambria and, new this year, Northern Cambria.

Over the past 13 years, CISLH has served over 2000 students with academic assistance (homework help and tutoring,) enrichment programs involving many community partners, and a recreation component which includes many physical and nutritional activities, all during the after school programs.  CISLH also provides evidence-based programming to students during the school day with Life Skills Training programs as well as evening adult workshops through the Incredible Years program.

Continuing nearly a decade of family services, The Center For Families (CFF) at CISLH provides connections to basic human needs.  Services include information and referral to human service agencies with comprehensive case management, as well as partnering with the Salvation Army to provide financial help for those who qualify. The CFF has provided services for more than 4000 families, a vital initiative of the CISLH mission that helps to provide the CIS 5 Basics across community, family and childhood domains.

CISLH has successfully incorporated the addition of prevention services in our determination to battle anitsocial behaviors and drug introductions to youth in our region.  This is important to our work, as we are situated along the I-99 drug trafficking corridor which influences drug use in our communities.  CISLH has received numerous grants to implement the evidence-based Life Skills Training program to all of our districts.  This Blueprints program is recognized by numerous accreditations in the field of prevention.  LifeSkills Training consists of both youth and parenting curricula designed to increase communication skills in order to raise healthier youth and build connected families.

CISLH is also currently implementing the Communities That Care of the Central Region of Cambria County (CTC of the CRCC).  This move toward coalition-building strengthens efforts in community collaboration that will improve other aspects of life in our region to provide promising futures and greater scholastic achievement.

All of CISLH's programs would not be possible without the support of community resources. Currently, CISLH is funded through: the 21st Century Community Learning Centers, the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Pennsylvania Commission of Crime and Delinquency, United Way and Lee Initiatives, Inc.