Putting Students First: Why Pennsylvania Must Treat Integrated Supports as Essential Infrastructure in Education

By: Tim Mulligan, President & CEO, Communities In Schools of Eastern Pennsylvania

and Jessica Knapp, President & CEO, Communities In Schools of Pennsylvania

As the school year begins, Pennsylvania faces a critical crossroads in education. Chronic absenteeism, rising mental health challenges and a teacher shortage threaten students' success. For millions, issues like hunger, housing instability and trauma hinder learning before they even enter the classroom. These are interconnected, systemic problems requiring immediate attention.

Current legislation may worsen these challenges, particularly for students who rely on federal educational resources and support.

The State of Our Schools

According to the Pennsylvania School Boards Association’s 2024 State of Education report, 66% of school districts identified student mental health needs as their most pressing concern, with nearly half of students exhibiting some form of mental health need according to school leaders. Concurrently, the state is grappling with a significant teacher shortage. These shortages are exacerbated in rural and urban districts, where the reliance on emergency certifications has become increasingly common.

The Impact of Integrated Student Supports

Communities In Schools of Eastern Pennsylvania and Communities In Schools of Pennsylvania surround 62,000 students across the Commonwealth with a network of support, helping them overcome academic and non-academic barriers to learning so they can stay in school and succeed.

At 10th & Penn Elementary in Reading, CIS helped reduce chronic absenteeism from over 50% to 26% in just one year. A dedicated site coordinator built strong relationships with students, families, and staff while aligning efforts with schoolwide initiatives on attendance and engagement. CIS also connected families to critical resources such as housing, food, and mental health services, ensuring barriers outside the classroom didn’t hinder students’ success.

The results speak for themselves: Attendance soared, families became partners, and the school’s culture shifted toward trust and reimagined futures.

In the 2024–25 school year, CIS of Eastern PA served 41,000 students across 15 districts. Of those, 96% were promoted, and 92% of seniors graduated. These are not just statistics. They represent students’ futures.

Meanwhile, CIS of Pennsylvania supports students in seven counties across Central and Western PA, including rural and urban districts with deep challenges. Rural communities face limited mental health resources and transportation barriers, while urban districts struggle with overcrowded classrooms and trauma.

The impact of CIS of Pennsylvania is felt from elementary to high school, from Bloomsburg to Harrisburg to Johnstown. While each student’s story is unique, one thing unites them all: with CIS, they don’t walk alone.

At Ebenezer Elementary in Cornwall-Lebanon, one student struggled with social and academic stressors that prevented school attendance. Over the summer, his CISPA coordinator, family, and school staff collaborated to build trust. By spring, the student was entering school regularly, completing classwork, and reconnecting with teachers and peers. These quiet victories are a reminder that when students feel supported and seen, they take brave steps forward.

Looking Ahead

Students served by Communities In Schools, especially those in high-need areas, face significant barriers such as low income, housing instability, and mental health challenges, all of which impact their ability to attend school and succeed. CIS provides wraparound services like academic support, counseling and family assistance to help students overcome these obstacles.

However, current legislation could worsen these challenges by cutting federal education funding, reducing access to mental health services, and further straining resources in rural and urban districts, while exacerbating teacher shortages.

What You Can Do to Help

Communities In Schools of Pennsylvania and Eastern Pennsylvania are drawing a line: by 2027, integrated student supports must be embedded in every school and policy discussion. No curriculum, test, or reform can close the learning gap without the right support for students.

It's time for Pennsylvania to lead in making this model essential in every school. Every student deserves a champion, every school needs a partner, and every policy should prioritize what our kids truly need.

We invite parents, educators, lawmakers, and community members to stand with us. Visit our schools, hear our stories, and help us create a future where every student has the support they need to succeed.