Safe Schools Healthy Students

Safe Schools/Healthy Students is one of the largest collaborations in the North Country bringing together local education, law enforcement and probation, early childhood, mental health, and substance abuse partners to create sustainable system change. Students, families, and communities will be positively impacted through the implementation of five core elements: school violence prevention, drug prevention, social and emotional support, mental health services, and early childhood development. Champlain Valley Family Center will be providing Families and Schools Together (FAST), Too Good for Drugs (TGFD), and Keep a Clear Mind (KACM) programs to Families and youth in Clinton County.

FAST is an after school prevention program. Entire families participate in activities that build parental respect, improve bonds, and enhance family-school relationships.

TGFD is a school-based prevention program proven to reduce the intention to use alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs in students. TGFD offers a developmentally appropriate curriculum for each grade level and engages students using interactive teaching methods including role play, cooperative learning games, small group activities, and class discussions.

KACM is a drug education program for children and their parents. The program is comprised of lessons for parents and children to complete together at home, and includes parent newsletters and incentives. Weekly lessons are designed to help children develop specific skills to refuse and avoid the use of “gateway” drugs. This unique, early intervention program has been shown to reduce the risk factors that contribute to later use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.