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Start First


For the last ten years, Family Abuse Center (FAC) has provided violence prevention education in the central Texas area. Since January, we have taught over 300 children ranging in ages from 4 to 19 years old. 85% of program graduates can identify conflict resolution skills that help them respond to violence in healthy ways.


Start First seeks to teach children the consequences of violence (bullying, racism, sexual harassment, dating violence, and domestic violence) and alternatives to violent behavior through conflict resolution and positive communication skills.


Start First lasts approximately six weeks and a typical session is an hour long. It involves a short teaching session, hands on educational activities, and discussion led by master’s level social workers. In addition, Start First offers free, confidential crisis intervention and individual counseling to at-risk children based on referrals from teachers, administrators, and/ or counselors.

Why do we need a prevention program?


  • 8% of Texans arrested for illegal possession or carrying a firearm were 16 or under

  • Juveniles accounted for 11% of Texas arrests for forcible rape in 2006

  • March 2006 – Baylor University temporarily removes student teachers from Waco High due to high rate of violence

  • 2007 – the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 121 requiring school districts to adopt and implement dating violence policies

  • 2006 – 3,396 people in the seven counties served by the Family Abuse Center were victims of domestic violence


Role of Start First


FAC’s Start First has a unique role in the community.
  • FAC is tied to a reputable agency that specializes in responding to violence

  • FAC collaborates with a variety of agencies that allow Start First to provide violence prevention education to children and youth throughout the Heart of Texas area

  • There is no other agency geared toward violence prevention capable of providing services to such a broad area. Start First has provided groups in Waco and the surrounding areas such as:
    • Coolidge

    • La Vega

    • Connally

    • Marlin


Goals


  • Prevent and reduce the episodes of violence in schools and families through the implementation of a comprehensive anti-violence curriculum

  • Measured through an increased knowledge of:
    • Positive communication skills

    • Anger management skills

    • Conflict resolution skills

    • Positive means to respond to bullying

    • Understanding how to report sexual harassment

    • Awareness of stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination, and racism


Start First Six Week Curriculum:


  • 1 hour per session

  • Curriculum age-specific for grades K-12

  • Progress measured through pre and post tests

  • Referral mechanisms for free intervention counseling for children presenting with need

  • All services are offered free of charge


Collaboration


Start First worked with 19 locations in 2007-2008
  • Brazos Middle School – CIS

  • Carver Academy Middle School – CIS

  • Cedar Ridge Elementary School – Camp Fire

  • Cesar Chavez Middle School – School Counselor

  • Connally High School – School Counselor

  • Coolidge High School – School Counselor

  • Coolidge Junior High School – School Counselor

  • Kendrick Elementary School – Counselor

  • Kids and Company – Daycare

  • La Vega Intermediate School – CIS

  • Lair Air Middle School – CIS

  • North Waco Elementary School – CIS

  • Provident Heights Elementary School – CIS

  • South Waco Elementary School – CIS

  • Tennyson Middle School – CIS

  • University High School – CIS


Success Examples


  • K-2nd grade reported a 60% increase in understanding of bullying

  • 3-5th grade reported 55% increase in conflict resolution knowledge

  • 6-12th grade reported 95% (up from 85%) competency in the causes of violence


Our Feedback


“Start First is a great asset and I would love to continue to have it on our campus”


“It gave the students the opportunity to express their frustrations in an acceptable manner”


“I believe the students will use the information to help them in the future, and I would like to have Start First back to work with the 3rd through 5th graders”


“It’s presented in a way that engages the kids, keeps them interested”


“The kids really enjoyed it, and other kids who weren’t in the group always asked to join.”


“Keep up the good work. Good job. Thank you.”



For more information about the Start First Program, please call 254-772-8999 and ask for Sarah Viviani, ext. 2238 or Leslie Blake, ext. 2239



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