West Sabine ISD Stop School Violence

Applicant Name: West Sabine Independent School District

Primary Activities: 

This training project will build the capacity of our schools as “bright spots” that support the safety of all youth from school entry to graduation. Community planning will engage cross-sector partners including law enforcement and will build on the district’s safety plan. Core to the community plan is the identification of evidence informed practices and programs. Program staff will provide training on identified practices and programs to school and community stakeholders. Staff will begin training on the three programs identified during the initial planning– Green Dot, YMHFA and TGFV.

Green Dot is a bystander intervention program that is an evidence-informed practice to increase active-bystander behaviors and reduce violence. Green Dot reduces violence acceptance at school and has been tested in rural communities like ours. School staff, educators, and community partners will be trained as instructors, will train students, and implement it in the school and community. 

Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) addresses gaps in mental health literacy by teaching skills to identify and help individuals experiencing emotional distress. Adults are trained to provide initial assistance to adolescents experiencing a mental health problem. Numerous studies, including those in rural places, have found YMHFA to be effective. School and community leaders will be trained as YMHFA instructors and will provide training for families and community partners.

Too Good for Violence (TGFV) is a school-based violence prevention and character education program. The kindergarten through 8th grade program is designed to promote character values and social-emotional skills. The program for 9th grade through 12th grade includes a drug prevention component and is designed to promote high school students with pro-social skills, positive character traits and violence-/drug-free norms.

Expected Outcomes: 

Goal 1: School & community trained in evidence-based practices to support safe schools.

Obj 1.1: Green Dot, YMHFA and TGFV systemized within the school.

Obj 1.2: Data collection & data reporting process developed.

Obj. 1.3: Local leaders trained as instructors.

Goal 2: Community selects and implements programs/practices that support safety.

Obj 2.1: Cross-sector partners ensure all students are safe and supported.

Obj 2.2: Community action plan implemented

Service Area: West Sabine Independent School, Pineland, TX
Who will benefit from project: The primary beneficiaries will be the students, k – 12, enrolled in West Sabine Independent school district. This program will provide direct training to the adults that support these students – school staff, law enforcement, social services and families.