Family Liaison Program

The Communities In Schools of Renton (CISR) Family Liaison (FL) Program offers Renton public school students, and their families, access to direct services for bringing balance to their lives. CISR Family Liaisons are housed in Renton school buildings and receive referrals from teachers, administrators, counselors, nurses, other staff, parents, and even students. The student’s need could appear in many different ways, maybe the student is falling asleep in class, or arriving late to school every day, or bullying someone at school, or not paying attention during class.

When FLs receive these referrals they begin working with the student and their families to figure out the real problem. Maybe the student does not have anything to eat, or clothes to wear, or anywhere to live, or they are experiencing domestic violence at home, or are new to the country, or speak a language other than English. FLs connect students and families to community service agencies to provide resources covering basic needs; like the Salvation Army, the food bank, YWCA, and others. This is a process that varies from hours to months, depending on the level of self-sufficiency and need demonstrated by the student or family.

Some of the services made available to the target population through CISR FLs include, but are not limited to; referrals for mentoring, food bank and clothing banks, health services, housing, transportation, second language assistance, holiday assistance, etc.

During the 2008-2009 academic year, CISR FLs provided services in the following capacity:

• Over 4,500 kids, and their families, received access to basic services
• Over 950 kids, and their families, received in-depth services
• Over 1,000 kids received new winter coats
• Over 600 kids received backpacks with school supplies
• Over 60 partnerships were nurtured with service agencies, community organizations and local businesses

If you would like to make the difference in the life of a child in our community by learning more about CISR programs, or know someone who can, please contact us at 425.430-6656 or email. We will be delighted to provide you with more information. Thank you!