Frequently Asked Questions on Partnerships
What is the Definition of a Partner?
- A partner is an agency, organization, faith-based group, or business who shares our values and is willing to work within the Integrated Student Services (ISS) model to address an identified Level One or Level Two need or asset.
What is a Provider or is it the Same Thing as a Partner?
Provider and Partner have, in the past, been used interchangeably but there is a difference. A provider is an individual who is associated with a partner and participates in carrying out or supporting the service within the school.
Are There Different Levels of Partnerships?
- Yes, while every partnership is unique, a partner will be one of three types:
- Level One Partnerships-Partners who are connected to address an identified Level I (school-wide) need or asset.
- Level Two Partnerships-Partners who are connected to address an identified Level II (individual student) need.
- Level One and Two Partnerships-Partners who are connected to both address identified Level I and II needs and assets.
What Status are Partnerships Assigned, if Any?
· Within a given school year, a partner may be considered either active or inactive. Reasons for in-active status vary. For instance, a need that the partner could potentially address has not been identified during the needs assessment process. Other reasons include partner capacity issues, funding issues and scheduling difficulties.
- An active partner is one who has, within a given school year, addressed an identified Level I or II need/asset.
- An inactive partner is one who has not, within a given school year, worked with KCIS to address a Level 1 or 2 need.
In General, How Does KCIS Support Partnerships?
· KCIS recognizes that it is through strong, healthy partnerships that identified Level I and II needs can be met. To respond to changing needs of both the student/school and the partner, support is provided at both the affiliate and site level.
o At the affiliate level (KCIS office), a partner is assigned to one KCIS staff person. This assignment is based on staff domain areas (i.e., health, mentoring, tutoring, parent engagement). If the partner is outside a domain area then the partner is assigned based on interest and availability of a KCIS staff person. KCIS works with the partner, sharing Level One and Level Two needs, Site Operations Plans and planning together for successful implementation of services that target a given need. This planning culminates in a written agreement. KCIS will meet with the partner as agreed upon to monitor and adjust services as necessary.
o At the site level (KPS School), a Site Coordinator plays a critical role in supporting the partnership once connected to the school. The Site Coordinator works closely with the ISS Site Team and based on the School Operations Plan (SOP) helps work out key details (such as scheduling, location of service, obtaining necessary paperwork) with the partner to make the right connections to students, teachers, and parents.
A number of individuals (both in front of and behind the scenes) at the affiliate and site level work together to support the partnership through each step of the CIS model of Integrated Student Services, assuring that services and resources provided by the partnership are personal, accountable, coordinated, and integrated.