Outreach Programs & Services :: Prevention Programs

Georgetown Independent School District offers a number of programs and services to inform students about the risks of drug and alcohol abuse and about sexual decision-making. Many of these programs are integrated into the GISD health curriculum at appropriate grade levels and address elements in the state-recommended Health TEKS.

Georgetown Prevention Partnership

The Georgetown Prevention Partnership is a state-mandated health advisory committee chaired by GISD's Health, Physical Education, and Prevention Coordinator. The committee provides review, suggestions, guidance, and support to GISD on health/wellness related issues. The committee oversees he use of federal Safe and Drug-Free Schools funds, and also serves to create awareness and opportunities for collaboration among community groups and agencies and assists in communicating to the community matters of concern regarding GISD's health and wellness curriculum.

Drug and Alcohol Prevention Campaign

GISD's K-12 drug and alcohol prevention efforts include bringing in a variety of speakers throughout the year to speak against drug and alcohol abuse. During Red Ribbon Week, held the last week of October, red ribbons and other literature about the dangers of drugs and alcohol are distributed. Red Ribbon programs include skits by the PRIDE group, a visit from McGruff, the crime dog, speakers, and theme days. These prevention programs are funded with federal Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities funds and through a variety of community coalitions.

Peers Responsible in Drug Education (PRIDE)

PRIDE is an extracurricular club that focuses on knowledge and skills related to the importance of a drug-free lifestyle through fun activities and skill-building sessions. The club also presents programs to elementary and middle school students.

Life Skills Training

Life Skills Training is a research-based drug prevention curriculum that provides students with lessons in self-management skills, general social skills, drug resistance skills, adaptive coping strategies, assertiveness, and decision-making. Taught in grades 3 through 8, Life Skills Training has been proven to reduce excessive drinking and marijuana use.

Lifeguard

Lifeguard is a non-profit organization that provides trained speakers to discuss sexual decision-making skills with 9th grade students by promoting parent/teen communication, teaching reliable information about sexually-transmitted diseases, providing positive young adult role models, and encouraging self-respect and the postponement of sexual activity until marriage.

Williamson County Crisis Center (WCCC) Counseling

WCCC provides on-campus groups to educate secondary students on dating and sexuality issues. A sexual harassment curriculum is offered to interested students in a group or classroom setting. Individual counseling is also available to any student with a related problem. For more information, contact WCCC at 255-1212.

Lifesteps

The Williamson County Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (WCCOADA) provides a Lifesteps counselor at the secondary level for on-campus groups and individual counseling addressing such issues as chemical dependency, trauma, life adjustment issues, leadership training, and prevention programs. Students must receive parental permission to participate. For more information, contact Lifesteps at 869-2571.

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For more information about GISD's prevention programs, contact:

Barbara Townsend
Health/PE/Prevention Coordinator
Georgetown Independent School District
603 Lakeway Drive, Georgetown TX 78628
Email: townsendb@georgetownisd.org
Phone: 512-943-5000 x.7883