BIST Keeps Teachers Together
26 June 2026
When Jennie Alderman was offered the principal position seven years ago at Franklin Smith Elementary in the Blue Springs School District, she agreed to take the job on one condition: the district would support Franklin Smith faculty in BIST training and implementation. Jennie had seen BIST transform the culture at...
Read
Don’t Let Summer Erase the School Year
27 May 2026
Summer break is a time for rest, fun, and adventure — but it can also quietly chip away at the skills children worked hard to build during the school year. Research shows students can lose two to three months of learning over the summer, and for children who are already navigating challenges, that loss can hit even harder. The good news? You don't need expensive camps or tutors to make a difference. Small, consistent habits go a long way.
Read
Keep Your Family Safe Around Water
19 May 2026
While many families will head to the pool, take beach vacations, or even plan staycations at home this summer, drowning remains a serious and often underestimated danger. It is the leading cause of death for children ages 1–4 and the second leading cause of death for children ages 5–14. When people...
Read
BIST Vision Conference Shows How BIST Helps Teachers Succeed
17 September 2025
How BIST Empowers Teachers When Jennie Alderman became principal at Franklin Smith Elementary School in Blue Springs, the school had issues she needed to address. Staff at the school felt isolated and many believed they were operating in silos, or as one put it, “we each felt like we were on...
Read
How One Missouri School Transformed Student Outcomes with BIST
01 August 2025
During the 2024–2025 school year, a rural Missouri school embraced the BIST (Behavior Intervention Support Team) philosophy building-wide and saw remarkable results. One of the most powerful success stories involved a sixth-grade student facing significant behavioral and academic challenges. He routinely refused to follow expectations, both in the classroom and in...
Read
Water Safety Ensures Summer Fun for All
13 June 2025
This summer, many families will look to cool off and have fun at the pool. Foster parents must adhere to Missouri or Kansas regulations regarding water safety, particularly for home swimming pools. Missouri and Kansas regulations differ but have the same intent: to ensure that children are safe around water. Drowning...
Read
Former Collegiate Basketball Player Transforms Lives Through Teaching
27 June 2024
Jessica Hall’s journey as a teacher at the Gillis Campus Day Treatment School all started with her love of basketball. In this inspiring blog, the middle school teacher shares how she fosters growth and confidence in her students by role-modeling appropriate behaviors, maintaining high expectations, and collaborating with team members.
Read
How an Advanced Degree Can Benefit Your Clients, Your Workplace, and Most Importantly, Your Future
17 May 2024
Through mentorship, flexible work schedules, and a tuition reimbursement program, Cornerstones of Care helps team members reach their personal and professional goals. In this story, we talk to four IIS/IFRS team members from three different levels of the organization to find out why they chose to pursue master’s degrees, how they’re managing it, and why they think you should consider it, too.
Read
