hOW WE WORK

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The Collective Impact approach drives our collaboration. This framework brings together different stakeholders—across sectors like education, government, and nonprofits—around a common agenda for solving complex social issues. By aligning resources, developing shared measurements, and fostering mutual accountability, we create a powerful, united front for systemic change.

The Life Course Framework focuses on how social, economic, and environmental factors influence an individual’s life outcomes over time. We use this framework to address intergenerational challenges like poverty, unemployment, and systemic racism. By understanding how these factors accumulate and affect people at different stages of life, we design interventions that address both immediate needs and long-term systemic barriers. 

MTSS is a comprehensive framework used in schools to ensure that all students receive the academic, behavioral, and social-emotional support they need to succeed. It operates across multiple levels (or “tiers”) of intervention:

• Tier 1: Universal interventions that support all students.
• Tier 2: Targeted interventions for students who need additional support.
• Tier 3: Intensive, individualized interventions for students facing significant challenges.

By using MTSS, schools can create an inclusive environment where all students have access to the resources and support they need, regardless of their individual challenges. CIS partners with schools to implement this framework, making sure interventions are tailored to the specific needs of each student. 

The Interconnected Systems Framework (ISF) bridges the gap between mental health and education systems by integrating services and supports within schools. At CIS, we use ISF to build partnerships between schools and community-based mental health providers, ensuring that students’ social, emotional, and behavioral health needs are met. This integrated approach leads to more comprehensive support for students and improves both academic and life outcomes. 

Human-Centered Design is central to our work at CIS. This approach puts the people who are most affected by systemic issues at the heart of the design process. We engage communities directly, ensuring that their voices are heard in shaping the solutions that will impact their lives. By focusing on the lived experiences of those we serve, we create solutions that are not only effective but deeply relevant to the needs of the community.

PBIS is a proactive approach that promotes positive behavior and creates a supportive school environment. Through PBIS, schools establish clear expectations for behavior, provide recognition for positive actions, and address behavioral challenges in a constructive manner. The aim is to reduce disciplinary incidents and foster a school culture where students feel valued, safe, and engaged in their learning. CIS works with schools to integrate PBIS into their broader educational strategies, helping to create positive learning environments for all students. 

Improvement Science is a method that focuses on continuous learning and adaptation. It emphasizes understanding the root causes of challenges and testing small, evidence-based changes to determine what works best in real-world settings. By using this approach, CIS helps schools and organizations make data-driven decisions and refine their systems over time. This method allows for more effective and sustainable solutions because it promotes ongoing evaluation and adjustment. 

Implementation Science focuses on the process of bringing research-based strategies into practice. It is used to ensure that evidence-based interventions are effectively integrated into systems, such as schools or community programs. CIS uses this framework to help our partners overcome barriers to successful implementation, ensuring that programs are executed with fidelity and scaled appropriately. Through this method, we ensure that the solutions we co-create with communities and schools are both practical and impactful.

The Compassionate Systems Framework emphasizes emotional intelligence and empathy within systems change. It recognizes that change cannot happen without understanding the emotional and psychological aspects of those involved in the system. At CIS, we use this framework to build systems that are not only functional but also humane, addressing the emotional well-being of students, educators, and community members. This framework helps us foster resilience, trust, and compassion throughout our work, ensuring that our interventions lead to more inclusive and supportive environments.