CIS History

In late 1998 and early 1999, as a requirement for participation in Kansas Juvenile Justice Reform, a diverse countywide committee was established to create a community plan. The Community Planning Team met regularly to collaborate, assess and receive training. They subsequently applied for and received a State Incentive Cooperative Agreement grant that funded after school programs, a mentoring program, Life Skills Training school-based curriculum, and a family resource center model of support for families. With these accomplishments and new skills as a catalyst, the team sought a coalition model that would sustain progress, and needed to look no further than neighboring Harvey County, whose community partnership had become a local CIS organization and garnered several hundred thousand dollars in grant funding in a short existence. Marion County leaders saw the CIS model as a solution to multiple meetings, duplication of services, disconnected plans, and over-extended schedules. A CIS planning committee was formed, and through the next year held community meetings to garner support. Marion County Commission provided funding for one person to attend a National CIS Training, and CIS of Kansas matched the amount. Consequently, two CIS planning committee members – U.S.D. 410 Superintendent Gordon Mohn and Linda Ogden – attended training in Phoenix, Arizona. In August of 2000, CIS of Marion County held their first official board meeting and adopted Articles of Corporation and Bylaws. Early funding was provided through a merger with the existing State Incentive Cooperative Agreement structure, and the grant coordinator, Linda Ogden, was hired as CIS Executive Director. She moved into her first CIS office at the Centre Elementary School in November of 2000. CIS guided a merger of the Community Planning Team with an existing Interagency Council, which became the CIS of Marion County Interagency Team – a task oriented networking group with the authority of an official county prevention coalition, serving in an advisory capacity to the Executive Board and other entities. The SICA grant provided major funding through 2002, but it was recognized that a base of local support was needed to sustain the Executive Director position and show grassroots commitment in fund raising campaigns and grant applications. Gordon Mohn created a formula of support that totaled $25,000. Assessments from each of the five school districts, incorporated cities, and the county, as well as executive board fund raising contributed to the total. To some extent, that formula continues to be used, projected to collect approximately $20,000 in FY 2006. CIS of Marion County is designated as a non-profit tax exempt organization by the Internal Revenue Service. Probationary non-profit status was granted in February of 2002 and full non-profit tax-exempt status was granted in 2005. In June 2002, the CIS Executive Office moved to the U.S.D. 410 Central Office where it continues to be located. U.S.D. 410 provides office space, computer and internet, technical assistance, telephone, copying and postage, and other support as an in-kind donation. Grant awards to CIS between 1999 through 2005 have brought $1,000,000 into the Marion County economy. Success of the organization continues to be reliant upon board member support, executive director and financial manager sustainment, and relationships with partner agencies including mental health, schools, judicial district, cities, the county, and others.