Communities In Schools spotlights “United for Schools,” United Way Quad Cities’ flagship education strategy now reaching nearly 2,700 students across four school districts

QUAD CITIES, Iowa/Illinois - September 14, 2026 - United Way Quad Cities' work to align neighborhood resources with student needs inside local schools has been featured in a new national case study by Communities In Schools (CIS), the country's leading evidence-based dropout-prevention and student-support organization.

The case study, Place to Promise: How United Way Quad Cities and Communities In Schools Are Changing the Odds - Together, highlights United for Schools, a place-based initiative that embeds site coordinators inside high need schools while United Way Quad Cities surrounds them with support from its network of community partners, donors and volunteers.

“When we focus support where families need it most, we do more than help one student or one household - we strengthen the entire neighborhood around them,” said Wendy Hilton-Morrow, President and CEO of United Way Quad Cities. “That's the heart of Rise United 2030, UWQC's blueprint for improving education, financial security, and health in the Quad Cities. We're aligning the right partners, resources and opportunities so children can succeed in school, parents can build financial stability, families can access the health care they need and communities can grow stronger together.”
 
Since launching the pilot program at Davenport’s Madison Elementary during the 2021-2022 school year and the addition of CIS in the 2024-2025 school year, United for Schools has grown to six schools across four districts, reaching nearly 2,700 students. Early results point to progress in the areas most closely tied to student success: attendance, behavior, and reading.  True long-term trends will be clearer at the close of year three, but the early indicators are strong:

• 12% attendance improvement at one UFS site
• 23% decline in major behavior referrals at behavior focused site
• 4 out of 5 schools improved 3rd grade reading proficiency with an average gain of 7%
• 3% increase in 4th grade math proficiency between fall and spring across five states

Because site coordinators are United Way team members, they can respond quickly to the broader needs of students and families that district budgets often can't cover - from arranging dental care or vision screenings for an entire group of students in a single day to connecting families facing food insecurity with existing community resources.

“United for Schools is changing the dynamic in high-need school buildings” said Ryan Sempf, Chief Impact Officer of United Way Quad Cities. “Our local school districts and United Way recognize that  meeting healthcare needs, improving access to basic food and clothing, and creating opportunities to attain a living wage career are all a part of a larger effort to support student success and family stability."
The initiative is one of the drivers of United Way Quad Cities' Rise United 2030 Goals: 80% of third graders reading on grade level, 86% of adults earning a living wage, and 95% of residents with access to routine healthcare.

CIS selected United Way Quad Cities as a national example because of its track record of measurable outcomes and its replicable approach for United Ways of any size, including smaller and rural communities.

“United for Schools reflects what United Way Quad Cities does best - bringing people and resources together to create opportunities today and stronger tomorrows for every child, every family and every neighborhood,” said Ragan Baker, Student Success Director at United Way Quad Cities.
Building on this momentum, United Way Quad Cities continues to unite philanthropic, public and community partners to strengthen United for Schools, deepen its impact and reach more students - ensuring more children have the support and opportunity to succeed in school and beyond.

THE CONVERSATION CONTINUES…
United Way Quad Cities will continue this conversation onto the community stage at its upcoming State of Education event, convening the policymakers, educators, and business leaders whose alignment determines whether progress like this reaches every Quad Cities student.

The State of Our Schools, The Future of Our Workforce
Tuesday, November 17th  8-10am:
Rogalski Center, St. Ambrose University

“Meaningful progress requires the people shaping policy, leading our schools and driving our regional economy to be at the same table. When leaders come together around the data and a shared vision, we can align decisions, resources and action to create greater opportunity for every Quad Cities student.” Ryan Sempf, Chief Impact Officer of United Way Quad Cities

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About United Way Quad Cities 
United Way Quad Cities (UWQC) is a social change organization that mobilizes the Quad Cities to action so all can thrive. From strengthening local resilience to advancing education, financial security and health, UWQC is working toward a future where every Quad Citian in every neighborhood can reach their full potential.