Cuero ISD Safe Schools/Healthy Students SMART CHOICES PROGRAM A COMMUNITY RELATIONS & DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
CISD Safe Schools Healthy Students PARTNERS: Gulf Bend Mental Health and Mental Retardation Mid-Coast Family Services Cuero Police Department DeWitt Juvenile Probation Department FUNDED BY: U.S. Department of Education Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools U.S. Department of Health and Human Services SAMSHA/Center for Mental Health Services U.S. Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention	ELEMENTS & GOALS OF THE PROGRAM: School Safety (Provide and maintain a safe school environment) GOALS: Decrease incidence of violence among  school aged children. Increase student safety and perception of safety on the way to and  while at school. Provide video surveillance cameras on school buses and on each campus. Alcohol,Tobacco and Other Drugs/Violence Prevention          (Provide a safe and healthy school  environment by providing Alcohol,Tobacco and Other Drugs/Violence Prevention programs.) GOAL:  Reduce the number of students who report using alcohol and marijuana or other drugs (ATOD). Behavioral, Emotional, and Social Support (Provide a safe and healthy school environment by providing student behavioral, social, and emotional supports.)  GOALS:  Reduce student disciplinary referrals.  Increase student support and character development.  Increase parental involvement and sense of control. School Based Mental Health Services (Increase access to school based  mental health services.)  GOALS:  Reduce the incidence and prevalence of mental disorders among students.  Decrease the number of mental health relapses related to depression and conduct disorders.  Increase referrals made to school based mental health services. Early Childhood & Parenting Education (Provide Early Childhood Social and Emotional Learning.) GOALS:  Increase parenting skills in teen parents and high risk families. Increase in children 0-5 receiving mental health services. MEET OUR  STAFF: Assistant Superintendent Community Relations             Project Director Debra Baros                             361-275-8874                                                      Paula Hamilton dbaros@cueroisd.org                                                                                        phamiltton@cueroisd.org             Administrative Assistant                                                      Truancy Officer Lori Clark                                 361-275-9408                                                   Ashley Barnett   361-243-0494 lclark@cueroisd.org                                                                                        abarnett@cueroisd.org Parent Liaison                                                                   Gulf Bend LPCI Dawn Green                             361-243-1080                                                  Barbara Bohman   361-243-6027 dagreen@cueroisd.org                                                                                  bbohman@cueroisd.org SSHS Case Manager                                                          Midcoast Family Services Rosanne Resendez-Wagner  361-243-1082                                                 Prevention Specialist Pre-K—6th Grade                                                                                            Mark Kelly   361-571-3995 rwagner@cueroisd.org                                                                                   K-5th Grade                                                                                                                            mkelly@cueroisd.org Gulf Bend Case Manager Elizabeth Hernandez               361-243-6028                                                  CISD School Resource Officer Pre-K—6th Grade                                                                                             Michael Marr   lhernandez@cueroisd.org                                                                               mmarr@cueroisd.org SSHS Case Manager Kenneth McCarthy                361-243-0395 7th—12th Grade kmccarthy@cueroisd.org   Gulf Bend Case Manager Kelsey Willis                        361-243-6029 7th—12th Grades kwillis@cueroisd.org	Social & Emotional Support Programs Safe Schools/Healthy Students schools will participate in programs aimed at positively promoting the social and emotional health of students and their families. Students, families and community members will learn more through a variety of events and activities including:  The  Back to School Bash, health fairs, parent newsletters, community events, and student after school programs. The programs supported by the Smart Choices project target elementary as well as secondary school students.    A district-wide focus is to promote positive learning environments which lead to student success. Cuero ISD students may participate in school-based activities during the school day or as part of an after school program.  In addition, small group and individual counseling and/or therapy sessions are available.    All programs supported by the project are research-based and proven to reduce the risk of school violence, alcohol, tobacco and other drug use and improve social/emotional wellness. School Safety Programs Cuero SSHS works closely with the Cuero PD and will provide school safety services through out School Resource Officer.  CISD has conducted safety audits at each of the six school campuses.  Results were reviewed with school personnel.  The CISD Safe Schools Healthy Students SRO  will work with each campus to identify ways to maximize school safety. In addition, law enforcement partners will assist districts in delivering personal safety activities targeting elementary and secondary students. Early Childhood Learning Programs The SSHS Parent Liaison will identify, locate and provide services for teen parents and other parents of young children prior to and after the birth of their child.   This initiative's main goal is to serve low-income, “at-risk” pregnant girls bearing their first child and will include intensive and comprehensive home visitations by the Parent Liaison during pregnancy and for two years after the first birth. However, the services are extended to other parents of young children as needed.   The concept is to help girls improve their prenatal health, their pregnancy outcomes, the health and development care provided to their infants and toddlers, as well as  their own personal development, with particular attention to the planning of future pregnancies, women’s educational achievement and opportunities, and potential participation in the work force.  Parent education workshops will be made available to families of CISD students.   Workshops will focus on developing parenting skills using the research-based, Parents as Teachers and Parenting Wisely Curriculums.
	Created 02/11/2009 - Updated 03/11/2009