School safety
Mentoring
Violence prevention
Substance abuse
Rape, sexual assault
Telephone counseling
Here are some websites with resources and information about violence prevention, help with substance abuse, what to do about bullying, and other important issues.
The US Department of Justice FBI Youth website contains information about crime and law enforcement. Interesting if you are thinking about a career in law enforcement!
The TeensHealth website offers a wealth of information about health-related issues of all kinds.
School Safety
The Center for Safe Communities and Schools trains law enforcement and educators, facilitates community mobilization, and develops youth as leaders to create safe and secure communities and schools.
The Texas School Safety Center sponsors contests, including essay contests and poster design contests...with cash prizes!
Mentoring
The National Mentoring Partnership is an advocate for the expansion of mentoring and a resource for mentors and mentoring initiatives nationwide.
Big Brothers Big Sisters one-to-one mentoring makes a huge difference for the youth it serves. Research consistently demonstrates that Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring helps at-risk youth overcome the many challenges they face.
Violence prevention and bullying
The Texas Youth Commission offers a World of Prevention website with resources for violence prevention and other issues.
Take a Stand. Lend a Hand. Stop Bullying Now! The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Health Resources and Services Administration and the Maternal and Child Health Bureau created this Web site to get the latest scoop on bullying.
The National Criminal Justice Reference Center provides a free curriculum for discussing hate and bias with middle school students. "Healing the Hate: A National Bias Crime Prevention Curriculum for Middle Schools," 1997, NCJ Order Number 165479. The center may be contacted by mail at NCJRS, P.O. Box 6000, Rockville, MD 20849-6000 or by phone at (800) 851-3420, (301) 519-5500, (301) 519-5212 (fax), or TTY Service for the Hearing Impaired (toll free): (877) 712-9279.
Teaching Tolerance is a web project of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). The site contains resource materials for teachers, parents, children and teens. The site features curriculum materials available from SPLC as well as online stories and activities that can be used in the classroom and at home. Current news and events are provided through links, and teachers can subscribe to an online newsletter. Numerous well-designed lesson plans for teaching about hate and tolerance are linked to the site. Tolerance.org is a wonderful resource for teachers.
Substance abuse
The website for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is an on-line resource for locating drug and alcohol abuse treatment programs, including some that are free.
The Partnership for a Drug Free America has a website that helps kids and teens reject substance abuse.
Al-Anon/Alateen says, "The Al-Anon Family Groups are a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength and hope in order to solve their common problems." Toll-free: (888)425-2666.
The mission of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime, and prevent underage drinking. Or visit the Texas MADD website. The Texas office number is (800)777-MADD (6233).
Rape, sexual assault and stalking
The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) is the nation 's largest anti-sexual assault organization. On its Web site, you'll find statistics, counseling resources, prevention tips, news and more.
The Texas Council on Family Violence (TCFV) is the state family violence advocacy group that provides victim information, resources and help for people in abusive relationships.
The National Center for Victims of Crime is a leading resource and advocacy organization for crime victims. The Teen Victim Page includes fact sheets on a number of important topics.
Cornell University hosts a website exploring dating violence and stalking. This site provides information and resources for victims, friends and family members affected by stalking and violent relationshiops, as well as links to other websites and materials.
The Texas Attorney General's Crime Victim Services Division serves victims of crime by administering the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund and related grants and by offering training and outreach programs. Numerous services and contact numbers are available online.
The Texas Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA) is committed to ending sexual violence in Texas through education, prevention and advocacy. This Web site provides valuable links to local programs, educational information and a survivor's guide.
Telephone counseling resources
The Texas Runaway Hotline exclusively serves Texas youth. Hotline staff and volunteers provide 24-hour crisis intervention, telephone counseling, information and referrals to callers in need of food, shelter, transportation to their homes, conference calls to parents and shelters, a confidential message relay service between runaways and parents, and Internet 580-HELP or go online for more information.
The Texas Youth Hotline (888)210-2278 is a confidential hotline answered by staff and volunteers who are dedicated to helping youth and family members in need of assistance. After assessing the caller's problems, telephone counselors help them consider options, explore the facts and their feelings, and develop a sensible plan of action. Call (888)210-2278 or go online for more information.
The National Hopeline Network says if you are not in immediate danger of committing suicide, but need someone to talk with about your suicidal thoughts, please do not hesitate to call (800)SUICIDE or (800)784-2433. If someone is in immediate danger of committing suicide, call 911 now.
The National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline is a national resource that can be accessed by phone or the internet. The Helpline offers real-time one-on-one support from trained Peer Advocates. Peer Advocates are trained to offer support, information and advocacy to those involved in dating abuse relationships as well as concerned parents, teachers, clergy, law enforcement, and service providers.
Here is a listing of available local Texas suicide prevention hotlines and teen help lines.
